McLennan defeated Vernon 9-4 in the opener with Cheyenne Floyd getting the complete-game victory in the circle.
McLennan began the scoring with a run in the top of the first. Lindsey Evans reached first and advanced to second on an error, and came around to score on a ground out by Caitlyn Wong.
Vernon tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second. Adie Brake doubled and was replaced by pinch runner Kaila Hernandez. Adrianna Cooney followed with a single to score Hernandez.
The Chaparrals took the lead with two runs in the fourth. Brake hit a solo home run. Cooney singled and Logan Menzies reached on an error. Chloe Bryant followed with a single to score Cooney.
Two McLennan runs scored in the top of the fifth to tie the game once again. Kadyn Trochim led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kenzie Chambers and reached third on a ground out by Evans. Melayna Lopez drew a walk, and both runners scored on a double by Wong.
McLennan exploded for six runs in the sixth. Julia Herzinger and Ka'Lyn Watson both singled and advanced on a wild pitch. Sidney Campion followed with a single to score Herzinger, and Watson scored on another wild pitch. Trochim walked and Chambers singled, loading the bases. Evans followed with a single to score Campion and Trochim, Chambers scored on an error, and Evans scored on a ground out by Lopez.
Vernon rounded out the scoring with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Brake double and was replaced by pinch runner Callie Yellin. Cooney singled and Yellin stole home.
The Chaparrals scored one in the bottom of the first to take the early lead. Cooney walked and moved to second on a ground out by Kaila Eastburn. Brake then singled to score Cooney.
Evans' solo home run for McLennan in the third tied the game at one.
McLennan took the lead with two runs in the top of the sixth. Wong drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Genesis Rodriguez. Watson followed with the two-run bomb to center field.
The final two McLennan runs came in the top of the seventh. Rosemary Rivera singled and scored on a triple by Evans. Lopez followed with a single to score Evans.
McLennan travels to Brenham Monday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Blinn.
McLennan 9, Vernon 4
McLennan 100 026 0 – 9 9 3
Vernon 010 201 0 – 4 10 2
Cheyenne Floyd and Julia Herzinger. Laynie Bastow, Kaila Eastburn (6) and Adie Brake. WP: Floyd; LP: Bastow. Leading hitters – McLennan: Lindsey Evans (1-4, 2 RBI), Melayna Lopez (1-3, 2B, RBI), Caitlyn Wong (1-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Julia Herzinger (2-3) and Sidney Campion (1-4, RBI); Vernon: Kaila Eastburn (2-3), Adie Brake (3-3, 2 2B, HR, RBI), Adrianna Cooney (3-3, RBI), and Chloe Bryant 1-2, RBI). Record: McLennan 34-15 (20-7).
McLennan 5, Vernon 1
McLennan 001 002 2 – 5 8 1
Vernon 100 000 0 0 – 1 6 1
Reese Taylor and Julia Herzinger. Kaila Eastburn and Adie Brake. WP: Taylor; LP: Eastburn. Leading hitters – McLennan: Lindsey Evans (2-4), 3B, HR, 2 RBI), Melayna Lopez (1-4, RBI), Ka'Lyn Watson (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Kadyn Trochim (1-3, 2B) and Rosemary Rivera (2-3); Vernon: Stonie Carrillo (2-4) and Adie Brake (2-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 35-15 (21-7).
