McLennan dominates North Central in regional tournament

McLennan Softball picked dominated the North Central Lions in the opening round of the Region V North Championship, getting a 10-2 run-rule victory this afternoon in Denison. Anissa Arredondo picked up the win in the circle.

McLennan scored three runs in the bottom of the first. Lindsey Evans led off with a double and scored on a single by Melayna Lopez. Caitlyn Wong reached on an error and both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Bailey Krolczyk walked to load the bases. Lopez was out at second on a fielder's choice by Julia Herzinger. Ka'Lyn Watson then singled to score Wong and Krolcyzk.

North Central got on the board with a run in the second. Alyssa Rios doubled to lead off the inning, and Jillian Whitmire singled. Rios then scored on a sacrifice fly by Lynzie Rollins.

McLennan added three runs in the bottom of the second. Evans walked and Lopez singled. Wong followed with a three-run homer to center field.

Three more McLennan runs scored in the fourth. Rosemary Rivera was hit by the pitch. Evans and Lopez both singled, loading the bases. Wong singled to score Rivera and Evans. Lopez then scored on a sacrifice fly by Krolczyk.

Kenzlee Zaher's home run in the top of the fifth would be the final North Central run.

Evans' walk-off homer for McLennan in the bottom of the fifth sealed the run rule.

McLennan advances in the winner's bracket and will face Vernon at 5 p.m. Friday.

McLennan 10, North Central 2
North Central 010 01 – 2 7 1
McLennan 330 31 – 10 9 1
Haleigh Hogan, Elizabeth Schroeter (2) and Jillian Whitmire. Anissa Arredondo and Julia Herzinger. WP: Arredondo; LP: Hogan. Leading hitters – North Central: Kenzlee Zaher (1-3, HR, RBI), Lynzie Rollins (1-1, RBI) and Alyssa Rios (1-3, 2B); McLennan: Lindsey Evans (2-3, 2B), Melayna Lopez (3-3, RBI), Caitlyn Wong (2-3, HR, 5 RBI), Bailey Krolczyk (0-1, RBI) and Ka'Lyn Watson (2-3, HR, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 41-16 (25-7).