The McLennan Softball squad opened the 2022 season with a pair of run-rule wins at the Island Invitational.
McLennan picked up the 15-5 win over Mississippi Gulf Coast in the opener with Hailey Hudson getting the in the circle.
McLennan scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Ka'Lyn Watson led off with a single and Maddie Saven reached on an error. Caitlyn Wong followed with a double to score Watson and Saven. Erin Plunkett singled, and Wong scored on a sacrifice fly by Julia Herzinger.
All five of Mississippi Gulf Coast's runs came in the bottom of the first inning. Kristian Jones drew a lead-off walk. Grace Allgood and KK Agner both reached safely on errors, loading the bases. Abby Vance followed with a single to score Jones. Emaleigh Coates then doubled to score Allgood, Agner and Vance. Abbott Stafford singled, and Coates scored on a passed ball.
Four runs in the second gave McLennan the lead. Sidney Campion reached safely on an error and Watson singled. Saven walked to load the bases. Wong then walked to score Campion. Plunkett followed with a single to score Watson. Saven scored on a fielding error, and Jalie Neff singled to score Wong.
Three more McLennan runs scored in the third. Campion hit a solo home run. Watson then doubled, advanced to third on an error and scored on a single by Saven. Wong singled and was replaced by pinch runner Rachel Warren. Saven then scored on a double steal.
McLennan added another three runs in the fourth. Neff led off with a double and Jenny Robison singled. Riley Rutherford walked to load the bases and was replaced by Caitlin Bradley-Tse as the runner at first. Neff scored on a sacrifice fly by Watson. Saven was hit by the pitch and Wong singled to score Robison. Bradley-Tse then scored on an error.
Two runs in the top of the fifth to seal the win. Herzinger singled and Neff doubled. Robison then singled to score Herzinger, and Neff was out at the plate. Bradley-Tse reached on an error and stole second. Robison then scored on a ground out by Campion.
In game two of the day, McLennan defeated Alvin 11-1 in five innings with Cheyenne Floyd picking up the win.
McLennan took control with nine runs in the top of the second inning. Rutherford reached on an error to lead off the inning, and Bradley-Tse singled. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Campion doubled to scored Rutherford and Bradley-Tse. Sydney Kirby grounded out, moving Campion to third. Campion then scored on a sacrifice fly by Watson. Saven walked and Wong reached on an error. Plunkett singled to score Saven, and Herzinger walked to load the bases. Rutherford then doubled to clear the bases. Bradley-Tse reached on an error and stole second. Campion also reached on an error, bringing Rutherford and Bradley-Tse in to score.
The final two McLennan runs came in the top of the third. Kirby doubled and scored on a triple by Watson. Watson was picked off at third, and Wong followed with a solo home run.
Alvin's only run came in the bottom of the fourth as Allison Snedeker singled and scored on a double by Kailey Jones.
McLennan will face Jones College at 11:15 a.m. Sunday followed by a 3:30 p.m. game with Galveston.
McLennan 15, Mississippi Gulf Coast 5
McLennan 343 32 – 15 17 2
Mississippi Gulf Coast 500 00 – 5 3 6
Hailey Hudson and Julia Herzinger. Jovi Jones, Emaleigh Coates (3), Kennedy Brown (5) and Darcy Novak. WP: Hudson; LP: Jones. Leading hitters – McLennan: Ka'Lyn Watson (3-4, 2B, RBI), Maddie Saven (1-2, RBI), Caitlyn Wong (3-3, 2B, 4 RBI), Erin Plunkett (3-4, RBI), Julia Herzinger (1-3, RBI), Jalie Neff (3-4, 2 2B, RBI), Jenny Robison (2-4, RBI) and Sidney Campion (1-4, 2 RBI); Mississippi Gulf Coast: Abby Vance (1-3, RBI) and Emaleigh Coates (1-1, 2B, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 1-0.
McLennan 11, Alvin 1
McLennan 092 00 – 11 13 0
Alvin 000 10 – 1 2 4
Cheyenne Floyd and Riley Rutherford. Payton Joyce, Miquela Guajardo (3) and Kailey Jones. WP: Floyd; LP: Joyce. Leading hitters – McLennan: Ka'Lyn Watson (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI), Caitlyn Wong (2-3, HR, RBI), Erin Plunkett (2-3, RBI), Riley Rutherford (2-3, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI), Caitlin Bradley-Tse (2-3), Sidney Campion (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI) and Sydney Kirby (1-3, 2B); Alvin: Kailey Jones (1-2, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 2-0.
