The seventh-ranked McLennan Softball squad claimed the Region V North Tournament Championship this afternoon in Weatherford, punching its ticket to the NJCAA Division I National Championship in Yuma, Arizona May 24-28.
Temple took game one 7-4 to force the deciding game two. Cheyenne Floyd took the loss in the circle for McLennan in the opener.
Temple took the lead with five runs in the top of the third inning. Brianna Longoria and Jalen Perez both singled, and Aahmyri Kennedy walked to load the bases. Catrin Hoffman singled to score Longoria. Darby Hickey was hit by the pitch, scoring Perez. Molly VandenBout doubled to score Kennedy and Hoffman. Hickey then scored on a ground out by Kate Moalo.
The Leopards added a run in the fourth. Longoria singled and Perez reached on an error. Longoria then scored on a ground out by Kennedy.
Another Temple run scored in the fifth. VandenBout walked and was replaced by pinch runner Annabel Segoviano. Moalo reached on an error, and Segoviano scored on a single by Autumn Bell.
McLennan's first run came in the bottom of the fifth. Sidney Campion and Ka'Lyn Watson both singled. Campion then scored on a single by Jenny Robison.
Three runs for McLennan in the bottom of the seventh rounded out the scoring. Watson tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Erin Plunkett. Robison doubled and Riley Rutherford was hit by the pitch. Sydney Kirby walked, loading the bases. Maddie Saven then doubled to score Robison and Rutherford.
McLennan dominated game two, rolling to a 6-0 shut-out victory with Hailey Hudson in the circle. Hudson allowed just one hit in seven innings while striking out five.
McLennan's first run came in the top of the third. Jalie Neff singled but was out at second on a fielder's choice by Ka'Lyn Watson. Watson then advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Erin Plunkett.
The other five McLennan runs came in the top of the fifth. Neff reached first and advance to second on an error. Rachel Warren came in as the pinch runner. Sidney Campion also reached and advanced to second on an error, allowing Warren to score. Plunkett then singled to score Campion. Jenny Robison walked and Riley Rutherford was hit by the pitch. Julia Herzinger singled to score Plunkett, and Robison was out at the plate. Rutherford scored on a passed ball and Maddie Saven walked. Saven then stole home.
McLennan advances to the national tournament for the first time since 2016.
Temple 7, McLennan 4
Temple 005 110 0 – 7 6 3
McLennan 000 010 3 – 4 8 4
Molly VandenBout and Catrin Hoffman. Cheyenne Floyd, Mattie Wolkow (3), Abigail Ramirez (6) and Riley Rutherford. WP: VandenBout; LP: Floyd. Leading hitters – Temple: Aahmyri Kennedy (0-3, RBI), Catrin Hoffman (1-3, RBI), Darby Hickey (0-2, RBI), Molly VandenBout (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Kate Moalo (0-4, RBI), Autumn Bell (1-4, RBI) and Brianna Longoria (2-3); McLennan: Ka'Lyn Watson (2-4, 3B), Erin Plunkett (1-3, RBI), Jenny Robison (2-4, 2B, RBI) and Maddie Saven (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 54-6 (30-2).
McLennan 6, Temple 0
McLennan 001 050 0 – 6 6 1
Temple 000 000 0 – 0 1 3
Hailey Hudson and Julia Herzinger. Lauren Tereault, Addy Potter (5) and Catrin Hoffman. WP: Hudson; LP: Terault. Leading hitters – McLennan: Erin Plunkett (2-4, 2 RBI) and Julia Herzinger (2-4, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 55-6 (30-2).
