The McLennan Highlassies and North Central Lady Lions split today’s regular-season-ending doubleheader in Gainesville.
McLennan defeated North Central 3-2 in the opening game with Victoria Vasquez getting the win in the circle.
The Highlassies scored two runs in the top of the second as Genisa Marrero-Carter singled and scored on Emeri Eubanks’ home run.
McLennan added a run in the top of the seventh as Marrero-Carter drew a lead-off walk and scored on a double by Eubanks.
North Central’s two runs came in the bottom of the seventh inning as Hillaree Schwartz and Lauren Bierschenk both singled and scored on a triple by Madison Blair.
The Lady Lions defeated the Highlassies 9-1 in six innings of game two with Emily Klanika taking the loss.
McLennan’s run came in the top of the first inning as Olivia Lantigua singled, moved to second on a ground out by Kaitlin Richards, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored on an error.
North Central scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Blair singled and Christina Hill was safe at first on an error. Schwartz singled to score Blair. Bierschenk reached first and moved to second on another error, allowing Hill to score. Kacee Dellis replaced Bierschenk as a pinch runner, and Payton Davidson hit a fielder’s choice with all runners safe. Riley Oldham also hit a fielder’s choice, putting Schwartz out at the plate. Aaliyah Lewis followed with a single to score Dellis and Davidson. Oldham scored on a fielder’s choice by Chelsea Luddeke, and Hayley Knabe singled to load the bases. Lewis and Luddeke both scored on a double by Blair. Knabe then scored on a fly out by Hill.
The Lady Lions secured the run-rule in the bottom of the sixth as Luddeke singled, stole second and scored on a double by Blair.
McLennan will compete in the Region V North Tournament beginning Friday at Craig Ranch in McKinney. The Highlassies will face Grayson at noon in the opening game of the tournament.
McLennan 3, North Central 2
McLennan 020 000 1 00 3 6 0
North Central 000 000 2 – 2 5 0
Victoria Vasquez, Emily Gray (7) and Breanna Heredia. Taylor White and Lauren Bierschenk. WP: Vasquez; LP: White. Leading hitters – McLennan: Charley Avery (2-3) and Emeri Eubanks (2-3, 2B, HR, 3 RBI); North Central: Madison Blair (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI) and Lauren Bierschenk (2-3). Record: McLennan 26-10 (22-9).
North Central 9, McLennan 1
McLennan 100 000 – 1 8 2
North Central 000 801 – 9 8 1
Emily Klanika, Emily Gray (4) and Kaitlin Richards. Ashley Hedrick, Madisyn Hargrove (5) and Lauren Bierschenk. WP: Hedrick; LP: Klanika. Leading hitters – McLennan: Emeri Eubanks (2-3) and Olivia Lantigua (2-3); North Central: Chelsea Luddeke (1-4, RBI), Aaliyah Lewis (1-3, 2 RBI), Christina Hill (0-3, RBI), Lauren Bierschenk (0-3, RBI), Madison Blair (3-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI) and Hillaree Schwartz (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 26-11 (22-10).
