No. 11 McLennan Softball handled business on the road today in Vernon, picking up a pair of wins to complete the four-game conference-series sweep over the Chaparrals.
Game one was an 8-0 run-rule five-inning shutout with Brinly Maples getting the win in the circle.
McLennan took control with five runs in the top of the first. Madison Hornback tripled and scored on a double by Riley Rutherford. Taylor Meier followed with a single but was out stealing second as Rutherford stole home. Rachel Wicker singled and all runners were safe on a fielder's choice by Chesnee Faile. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Sydney Kirby walked to load the bases. Madelyn McKinnon walked, scoring Wicker. Kyla Heine then singled to score Faile, and Kirby scored on an error.
Two more McLennan runs scored in the third. Faile singled, McKinnon walked and Erin Plunkett singled, loading the bases. Hornback singled, scoring Faile, and McKinnon scored on an error.
The final run came in the top of the fifth as Heine singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error, and scored on a single by Plunkett.
Game two was much closer, 2-1 with Katia Reyes getting the win in the circle for McLennan.
Reyes also accounted for the two McLennan RBI. Meier led off the top of the second with a single, and Wicker walked. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Faile and scored on a double by Reyes.
Vernon's only run of the day came in the bottom of the sixth inning as Savannah Pemberton led off with a single and scored on a single by Mia Garcia.
McLennan 8, Vernon 0
McLennan 502 01 – 8 12 1
Vernon 000 00 – 0 3 3
Brinly Maples and Madelyn McKinnon. Abbie Bird and Jasmine Canales. WP: Maples; LP: Bird. Leading hitters – McLennan: Erin Plunkett (2-4, RBI), Madison Hornback (3-4, 2B, 3B, RBI), Riley Rutherford (1-4, 2B, RBI), Chesnee Faile (2-3), Madelyn McKinnon (0-1, RBI) and Kyla Heine (2-3, RBI); Vernon: Jasmine Canales (1-2, 2B). Record: McLennan 23-8 (9-2).
McLennan 2, Vernon 1
McLennan 020 000 0 – 2 3 1
Vernon 000 001 0 – 1 4 0
Mattie Wolkow; Katia Reyes (4) and Riley Rutherford. Anslie Roach and Casey Driver. WP: Reyes; LP: Roach. Leading hitters – McLennan: Erin Plunkett (1-3, 3B) and Katia Reyes (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI); Vernon: Mia Garcia (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 24-8 (10-2).
