The top-ranked McLennan Highlanders rolled to a pair of run-rule victories over the North Central Lions this afternoon at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan took game one 9-1 with Katia Reyes in the circle.
North Central began the scoring with a run in the top of the third as Riley Ferguson doubled, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on a double by Raylea Parsons.
The Highlanders responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Ellie Loveless singled, advanced to second on an error and moved to third on a wild pitch. Taylor Meier then singled to score Loveless. Meier stole second and Trinity Allen reached first safely and advanced to second on an error, scoring Meier. Allen moved to third on a wild pitch and Reyes walked. Madison Hornback followed with the three-run homer.
McLennan added a run in the fourth. Madison Garcia singled and stole her way to third. Meier was hit by the pitch, and Mickayla Tosch walked to load the bases. Allen then singled to score Garcia.
Three Highlander runs in the bottom of the fifth ended the game. Chesnee Faile singled and Garcia walked, both scoring on a triple by Meier. Tosch walked and Allen singled to score Meier.
Taryn Batterton and Brinly Maples combined to allow no Lion hits in the 8-0 run-rule victory in game two. Batterton picked up the win.
McLennan scored four runs in the bottom of the first. Tosch walked, Allen was hit by the pitch and Heine reached on an error to load the bases. Reyes doubled to score Tosch and Allen, and Heine scored on a sacrifice bunt by Hornback. Faile walked, and Reyes stole home.
The Highlanders then scored four in the bottom of the fifth to seal the run rule. Heine led off with a triple and scored on a single by Reyes. Hornback singled and Maddie Moore walked. Lilly Rocha singled to score Reyes. Meier then singled to score Moore, ending the game.
McLennan 9, North Central 1
North Central 001 00 – 1 3 3
McLennan 005 13 – 9 8 0
Raylea Parsons and Abagayle Baglin. Katia Reyes and Kyla Heine. WP: Reyes; LP: Parsons. Leading hitters – North Central: Raylea Parsons (1-3, 2B, RBI) and Riley Ferguson (1-2, 2B); McLennan: Taylor Meier (2-2, 3B, 3 RBI), Trinity Allen (2-4, 2 RBI) and Madison Hornback (1-3, HR, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 33-0 (11-0).
McLennan 8, North Central 0
North Central 000 00 – 0 0 1
McLennan 400 04 – 8 7 0
Kacey White, Kennedy Schroeder (5) and Mickyna Lindsey. Taryn Batterton, Brinly Maples (4) and Chesnee Faile. WP: Batterton; LP: White. Leading hitters – McLennan: Taylor Meier (1-4, RBI), Kyla Heine (1-3, 3B), Katia Reyes (2-2, 2B, 3 RBI), Madison Hornback (1-2, RBI) and Lilly Rocha (1-1, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 34-0 (12-0).
