The McLennan Highlassies defeated the Indian Hills Warriors 12-9 this afternoon to stay alive in the NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship in St. George, Utah. Vannessa Castro picked up the win in the circle for the Highlassies.
McLennan began the scoring with four runs in the top of the second. Serena Saldivar drew a lead-off walk. Elizabeth Svienty reached first safely and moved to second on an Indian Hills, advancing Saldivar to third. Andrea Gonzales followed with a double to score Saldivar and Svienty. Andrea Gonzales moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Haley Webre and Angelina Camacho walked. Dariann Resendez followed with a fielder's choice to score Andrea Gonzales. Marisa Flores' fielder's choice put Resendez out at second and brought Camacho in to score.
Indian Hills got on the board with one run in the bottom of the second as Sierra Walton doubled, moved to third on a ground out by Chelsea Eads and scored on a double by Emily Garcia.
The Highlassies exploded for eight runs in the top of the third. Saldivar reached first safely on an error. Svienty and Andrea Gonzales both singled to load the bases. Webre was hit by the pitch, bringing Saldivar in to score. Camacho reached first and advanced around to third on an Indian Hills error, bringing Svienty, Andrea Gonzales and Webre in to score. Resendez was hit by the pitch. Camacho then scored on a fly out by Flores. Theresa Gonzales drew a walk. Victoria Gonzales then singled to score Resendez. Saldivar reached first on an error, loading the bases. Theresa Gonzales scored on a ground out by Svienty. Andrea Gonzales then singled to score Victoria Gonzales.
The Warriors added five runs in the bottom of the third. Mallory Madsen, Kacey Duffield and Kassidi Henderson all singled. Madsen scored on a fly out by Walton. Eads followed with a single to score Duffield. Eads advanced around to third on an error, brining Henderson in to score. Shannon Finneran followed with a single to score Eads. Courtney Hahn also singled. Shyanne DuBois followed with a double to score Finneran and Hahn was thrown out at the plate.
Indian Hills rounded out the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Walton singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hahn reached first safely on an error. DuBois singled to load the bases. A passed ball brought Walton in to score. Madsen then doubled to score Hahn and DuBois.
McLennan advanced in the loser's bracket and will face Butler or Florida Southwestern State at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
McLennan 12, Indian Hills 9
McLennan 048 000 0 – 12 12 3
Indian Hills 015 030 0 – 9 15 5
Vannessa Castro, Kayleigh Williams (5) and Andrea Gonzales. Nataliah Hopkins, Marissa Promes (3) and Emily Brown. WP: Castro; LP: Promes. Leading hitters – McLennan: Dariann Resendez (1-4, RBI), Marisa Flores (1-5, 2 RBI), Victoria Gonzales (2-5, RBI), Elizabeth Svienty (2-5, 2B, RBI), Andrea Gonzales (3-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Haley Webre (0-2, RBI) and Angelina Camacho (1-3, 3 RBI); Indian Hills: Shyanne Dubois (2-5, 2B, RBI), Mallory Madsen (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Kacey Duffield (2-3), Sierra Walton (3-4, 2B, RBI), Chelsea Eads (2-4, RBI), Shannon Finneran (1-3, RBI) and Emily Garcia (1-1, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 43-13 (26-6).
