Highlanders fly by Golden Eagles

The McLennan Highlander advanced to the next round of the NJCAA Division I Softball World Series in Oxford, Alabama, with a 7-3 victory over the Southern Idaho Golden Eagles this afternoon. Brinly Maples picked up the win in the circle.
 
Southern Idaho took the early lead with a run in the top of the second inning. Courtney Christiansen doubled and was replaced by pinch runner Mariah Schauwecker. Schauwecker then scored on a single by Tasha Hokanson.
 
McLennan took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the third. Ellie Loveless led off with a double and scored on a single by Taylor Meier. Meier advanced to second on the throw and third on aground out by Madison Garcia. Trinity Allen was hit by the pitch, and Meier scored on a double steal. Katia Reyes followed with a two-run homer to center field.
 
Three more Highlander runs scored in the fifth. Garcia singled and Allen was hit by the pitch, both advancing on a fly out by Madison Hornback. Chesnee Faile was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Mickayla Tosch followed with a bases-clearing double.
 
The Golden Eagles rounded out the scoring with two runs in the top of the seventh. Christiansen reached on an error. Markessa Jensen followed with a two-run homer.
 
McLennan 7, Southern Idaho 3
Southern Idaho 010 000 2 – 3 6 0
McLennan 004 030 x – 7 8 2
Abby Hayes, Eva Stoddard (3) and Tasha Hokanson. Brinly Maples, Makenzi Jenkins (7) and Chesnee Faile. WP: Maples; LP: Hayes. Leading hitters – Southern Idaho: Courtney Christiansen (1-3, 2B), Markessa Jensen (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Tasha Hokanson (2-3, RBI) and Taya Manzanares (2-3); Taylor Meier (1-3, RBI), Katia Reyes (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Mickayla Tosch (1-1, 2B, 3 RBI) and Ellie Loveless (1-2, 2B). Record: McLennan 59-2 (31-1).