The McLennan Highlassies and Grayson Vikings split today's conference doubleheader in Denison.
McLennan pounded Grayson 17-2 in the opener with Emily Klanika picking up the run-rule victory.
The Highlassies jumped out early, scoring four in the top of the first inning. Olivia Lantigua and Kaitlin Richards both singled. Arianna Perales doubled to score Lantigua. Sophie Wideman followed with a three-run bomb.
McLennan added two runs in the second as Charley Avery singled and scored on a Lantigua home run.
Two more McLennan runs scored in the third. Wideman led off with a solo home run. Emeri Eubanks was hit by the pitch and Rebeca Fajardo singled. Brooke Arnold hit a fielder's choice, putting Fajardo out at second. A fielder's choice by Avery brought Eubanks in to score.
Grayson's two runs came in the bottom of the third as Kamrie Harrison singled and scored on Carmen Eilertsev's home run.
McLennan exploded for six runs in the fourth. Richards walked and was replaced by pinch runner Genisa Marrero-Carter. A Perales fielder's choice put Marrero-Carter out at second. Wideman and Eubanks both singled, bringing Perales in to score. Fajardo reached safely on an error, allowing Wideman to score. Arnold followed with a three-run homer. Avery singled and Kaelin Morkisch was hit by the pitch. Lantigua followed with a single to score Avery.
The Highlassies rounded out the scoring with three runs in the fifth. Lindy Alexander doubled, Destiny Perry singled and Daniella Hill walked to load the bases. Alexander scored on a single by Arnold, and Perry scored on a fielder's choice by Avery. Destiny Sanchez and Lantigua were both hit by the pitch, bringing Hill in to score.
Grayson bounced back to defeat McLennan 9-6 in the second game with Destiny Guerra taking the loss in the circle.
McLennan scored one run in the top of the third. Avery was safe at first and advanced to second on a Grayson error. Avery then moved to third on a ground out by Morkisch and scored on a ground out by Lantigua.
The Lady Vikings tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth as Rien Milliken singled and scored on a single by Melinda Martinez.
McLennan took the lead with a run in the fifth as Morkisch singled and scored on a double by Lantigua.
Grayson responded with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth. Jade Miller led off with a solo home run and Eilertsev singled. Kaylee Walters was safe on a fielder's choice. Eden Lawson then doubled to score Eilertsev. Cheyenne Stark followed with a three-run homer. Milliken and Danielle Humphrey followed with back-to-back solo home runs.
The Lady Vikings' final run came with Lawson's home run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Highlassies rounded out the scoring with four runs in the top of the seventh. Fajardo doubled and scored on a double by Arnold. Alexander singled and was replaced at first by Avery to run. Morkisch singled to score Arnold. Avery and Morkisch both advanced on a passed ball. Richards then singled to score Avery, and Morkisch scored on a fielder's choice by Perales.
McLennan returns to action Friday, hosting Hill for a noon doubleheader.
McLennan 17, Grayson 2
McLennan 422 63 – 17 17 1
Grayson 002 00 – 2 4 2
Emily Klanika and Kaitlin Richards. Lauren Mentzer, Cassandra Potvin (2), Sarah Azlin (5) and Danielle Humphrey. WP: Klanika; LP: Mentzer. Leading hitters – McLennan: Charley Avery (2-4, 2 RBI), Olivia Lantigua (3-4, HR, 4 RBI), Arianna Perales (1-4, 2B, RBI), Sophie Wideman (3-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Lindy Alexander (1-1, 2B), Emeri Eubanks (1-2, RBI), Rebeca Fajardo (2-3) and Brooke Arnold (2-4, HR, 4 RBI); Grayson: Carmen Eilertsev (1-2, HR, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 24-18 (15-9).
Grayson 9, McLennan 6
McLennan 001 010 4 – 6 11 1
Grayson 000 171 x – 9 11 1
Destiny Guerra and Sophie Wideman. Va'a Angelina and Cheyenne Stark. WP: Angelina; LP: Guerra. Leading hitters – McLennan: Kaelin Morkisch (2-4, RBI); Olivia Lantigua (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Kaitlin Richards (1-4, RBI), Arianna Perales (0-4, RBI), Rebeca Fajardo (2-3, 2B) and Brooke Arnold (1-3, 2B, RBI); Grayson: Jade Miller (1-3, HR, RBI), Eden Lawson (2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Cheyenne Stark (1-4, HR, 3 RBI), Rien Milliken (2-4, HR, RBI), Danielle Humphrey (2-4, HR, RBI) and Melinda Martinez (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 24-19 (15-10).
