McLennan Softball split today's doubleheader with the seventh-ranked Vernon Chaparrals at Bosque River Ballpark.
A walk-off RBI-single by Melayna Lopez in the bottom of the seventh gave McLennan the 6-5 game one win. Secilia Lopez picked up the win in the circle, coming in in relief of starter Reese Taylor.
Vernon began the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning. America Rubio drew a lead-off walk and scored on a single by Camille Nunez. Kaila Eastburn followed with a single to score Nunez. Adie Brake then doubled to score Eastburn.
McLennan responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Bailey Krolczyk and Caitlyn Wong both singled. Melayna Lopez followed with a singled to score Krolczyk. Julia Herzinger drew a walk, loading the bases. Sidney Campion then doubled to score Wong, Lopez and Herzinger.
The Chaparrals tied the game with a run in the third. Kiana Gibson doubled and Brake walked. Gibson then stole third but was out trying to steal home. Brake stole second and third then scored on a sacrifice fly by Logan Menzies.
Herzinger's solo home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth put McLennan up 5-4.
Vernon tied the game again with a run in the top of the seventh. Brake singled and was replaced by pinch runner Kaia Hernandez. Menzies then doubled to score Hernandez.
McLennan sealed the win with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Krolczyk singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wong and advanced to third on a ground out by Lindsey Evans. Melayna Lopez followed with the walk-off single, scoring Krolczyk to end the game.
Vernon defeated McLennan 12-6 in the second game with Gracy Crafts taking the loss in the circle.
The Chaparrals scored two runs in the top of the first. Stonie Carrillo singled and Rubio walked. Both runners advanced on a passed ball and scored on a single by Gibson.
Wong's solo home run put McLennan on the board in the bottom of the first.
Vernon added four runs in the second. Adrianna Cooney and Chloe Bryant both walked. Carrillo single to score Cooney, and Rubio followed with a three-run homer.
McLennan added three runs in the third. Kenzie Chambers singled and Wong walked, both scoring on a triple by Evans. Evans then scored on a Vernon error, cutting the lead to 6-4.
Vernon responded with three runs in the top of the fourth. Menzies singled and Bryant walked. Carrillo followed with a single to score Menzies, and Bryant scored on a sacrifice fly by Rubio. Eastburn then singled to score Carrillo.
Herzinger added a solo home run for McLennan in the fourth.
The Chaparrals scored one in the sixth as Carrillo doubled, moved to third on a single by Rubio and scored on a McLennan error.
Vernon's final two runs came in the top of the seventh. Longo reached first and advanced to second on an error. Menzies followed with the two-run homer.
Campion's solo home run for McLennan in the bottom of the seventh rounded out the scoring.
The two teams will complete the four-game series with a noon doubleheader Saturday in Vernon.
McLennan 6, No. 7 Vernon 5
Vernon 301 000 1 – 5 12 0
McLennan 400 001 1 – 6 13 0
Laynie Bastow and Adie Brake. Reese Taylor, Secilia Lopez (7) and Julia Herzinger. WP: Lopez; LP: Bastow. Leading hitters – Vernon: Camille Nunez (1-4, RBI), Kaila Eastburn (1-4, RBI)), Adie Brake (2-3, 2B, RBI), Logan Menzies (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Chloe Bryan (2-3, 2B) and Kiana Gibson (2-4, 2B); McLennan: Kenzie Chambers (2-4), Bailey Krolczyk (2-4), Caitlyn Wong (2-3), Melayna Lopez (3-4, 2 RBI), Julia Herzinger (1-1, HR, RBI) and Sidney Campion (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 33-14 (19-6).
Vernon 12, McLennan 6
Vernon 240 301 2 – 12 11 1
McLennan 103 100 1 – 6 5 2
Kaila Eastburn and Adie Brake. Gracy Crafts, Anissa Arredondo (2) and Bailey Krolczyk. WP: Eastburn; LP: Crafts. Leading hitters – Vernon: Stonie Carrillo (4-4, 2B, 2 RBI), America Rubio (2-2, HR, 4 RBI), Kaila Eastburn (1-4, RBI), Kiana Gibson (1-4, 2 RBI) and Logan Menzies (2-4, HR, 2 RBI); McLennan: Caitlyn Wong (1-2, HR, RBI), Lindsey Evans (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI), Julia Herzinger (1-3, HR, RBI) and Sidney Campion (1-1, HR, RBI). Record: McLennan 33-15 (19-7).
