McLennan holds off Vernon rally

McLennan held off late rally by the Vernon Chaparrals to pick up a 10-8 win and advance in the Region V North Softball Championship in Denison this evening.
 
Vernon jumped out to the early lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Stonie Carrillo and Adrianna Cooney both singled and advanced on a wild pitch. Carrillo scored on a ground out by Kaila Eastburn, and Logan Menzies singled to score Cooney. Adie Brake reached on an error, and Camille Nunez singled to score Menzies.
 
McLennan scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead. Julia Herzinger drew a lead-off walk and Sidney Campion singled. Kadyn Trochim followed with a single to score Herzinger, and Campion scored on a Vernon error. Lindsey Evans followed with a two-run homer to left field.
 
Two more McLennan runs scored in the third. Bailey Krolczyk walked and Ka'Lyn Watson singled. Krolczyk scored on an error and Herzinger walked. Watson then scored on a sacrifice fly by Campion to put McLennan ahead 6-3.
 
Vernon added a run in the fourth. America Rubio singled but was out at second on a fielder's choice by Tatum Trester. Chloe Bryant walked and Carrillo singled, loading the bases. Cooney then walked to score pinch runner Kaia Hernandez.
 
McLennan added another run in the bottom of the fourth. Evans walked but was out at second on a fielder's choice by Caitlyn Wong. Wong then advanced around to third on a pair of wild pitches and scored on a single by Krolczyk.
 
The final three McLennan runs came in the bottom of the sixth. Evans reached on an error, and Melayna Lopez and Wong both singled to load the bases. Evans scored on a passed ball, and Kenzie Chambers replaced Wong at first. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Watson then singled to score Lopez and Chambers and put McLennan up 10-4.
 
Vernon rallied in the seventh but couldn't overcome the deficit. Cooney singled and Eastburn reached on an error. Pinch hitter Kiana Gibson singled to load the bases, and Rubio followed with the grand slam to cut the lead to two, 10-8.
 
McLennan will face either Grayson or Temple at 5 p.m. Saturday.
 
McLennan 10, Vernon 8
Vernon 300 100 4 – 8 12 3
McLennan 042 103 x – 10 8 2
Laynie Bastow, Kaila Eastburn (4) and Adie Brake. Reese Taylor and Bailey Krolczyk. WP: Taylor; LP: Bastow. Leading hitters – Vernon: Stonie Carrillo (3-4), Adrianna Cooney (2-3, RBI), Kaila Eastburn (0-4, RBI), Logan Menzies (1-4, RBI), Camille Nunez (1-3, RBI) and America Rubio (2-4, HR, 4 RBI); McLennan: Lindsey Evans (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Bailey Krolczyk (1-2, RBI), Ka'Lyn Watson (2-4, 2 RBI), Sidney Campion (1-2, RBI) and Kadyn Trochim (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 42-16 (25-7).