No. 7 McLennan Softball dominates Ranger

The seventh-ranked McLennan Softball team dominated Ranger in the opening round of the Region V North Tournament in Weatherford, smashing the Rangers 10-0 in five innings. Hailey Hudson picked up the win in the circle as the starting pitcher. Hudson, Cheyenne Floyd and Mattie Wolkow combined to allow Ranger one hit over the five innings.
 
McLennan took control early with four runs in the bottom of the first. Ka'Lyn Watson led off with a bunt single and stole second. Riley Rutherford followed with a two-run homer over the right-field fence. Julia Herzinger walked and scored on a double by Maddie Saven. Saven then scored on a double by Sydney Kirby.
 
Two more McLennan runs scored in the third. Rutherford reached first and advanced to second on a Ranger error. Rachel Warren replaced Rutherford as the runner at second. Herzinger drew a walk, and both runners scored on another Ranger error.
 
McLennan extended the lead with four runs in the fourth, securing the run rule. Rutherford was hit by the pitch and Herzinger singled. Saven reached on an error to load the bases. Kirby singled to score Rutherford and Herzinger. Riley Todd replaced Kirby at first. Saven stole home on a double steal that moved Todd to third. Sidney Campion then doubled to score Todd.
 
McLennan advances in the winner's bracket and will face North Central or Weatherford at 3 p.m. Friday.
 
McLennan 10, Ranger 0
Ranger 000 00 – 0 1 3
McLennan 402 4x – 10 8 0
Kailee Loving, Mo Castro (4) and Everly Carey. Hailey Hudson, Cheyenne Floyd (4), Mattie Wolkow (5) and Julia Herzinger. WP: Hudson; LP: Loving. Leading hitters – McLennan: Ka'Lyn Watson (2-4), Riley Rutherford (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Maddie Saven (1-3, 2B, RBI), Sydney Kirby (2-3, 2B, 3 RBI) and Sidney Campion (1-2, 2B, RBI). McLennan 52-5 (30-2).