HASTINGS -- For the second year in a row the McCook Bison softball team swept through the GNAC tournament with three wins to capture the championship.

In the first game, McCook defeated defeat the Lexington Minutemaids for the fifth time this season -- this time by a score of 12-0 in 4 innings.

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The second game they won a 1-0 defensive contest with Columbus.

In the championship game the Bison overcame a four-run deficit in the 5th inning to capture the crown 7-5.

The Bison got off to a great start on Saturday morning by scoring 3 runs in the first 2 innings and adding 7 runs in the 3rd inning and finished the game in 4 innings by scoring 2 more runs with just one out.

To start the game Jessica Einspahr walk and stole second base. Austin Wilson followed with a single and Michelle McKenna was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kirstie Hiatt single to right field scoring Einspahr. Marissa Wallace then hit a deep fly ball to left field and Wilson scored after the catch.

In the 2nd inning, Ashley Carfield singled to left and went to second when the left fielder could not field the ball cleanly. Carfield scored on a base hit by Einspahr. Cody Korus followed with and infield hit. Einspahr was forced out at third on a ground ball to the third baseman and Korus and Wilson were left stranded at first and second.

The 3rd inning saw 7 runs score on hits by Wallace, McKenna, and a double by Carfield, with a couple of base on ball and an error by the Lexington defense.

With one out in the 4th inning, Kali Lyons walked and Einspahr got her second hit of the game to put runners at second and first. After a pass ball which advanced the runners, Korus picked up her second hit of the game to drive in the 2 runs that ended the game on the run rule.

Kirstie Hiatt pitched a 1 hitter through 4 innings, allowing no runs with 3 strike outs and no walks.

"After seeing Lexington on Tuesday and for the 5th time this year, it was really nice to come out and score early," said coach Dale Lortz. "Kirstie did an excellent job for us and defensively we were very solid."

The second game of the day was one of very little offensive action as the pitching was sound for both teams. "Their pitcher did not throw real hard and placed the ball fairly well and we just could not get our timing on her," Lortz said. "Taryn was up to the task, and really kept us in the game."

The Bison scored in the 1st inning, when Jessica Einspahr had a single to lead off the inning. Cody Korus moved Einspahr to second on a sacrifice bunt. Michelle McKenna the doubled to score Einspahr and that one run held up to give the Bison a 1-0 win.

After that it was pretty much a defensive game. The Bison turned back the only two threats of Columbus on two pretty impressive defensive plays.

In the 4th inning the Columbus lead off batter was hit by a pitch to reach first base and went to second on a pass ball. Columbus then advanced her to third with a bunt that Marissa Wallace fielded and threw to first for the first out of the inning.

With the count at one strike, Columbus tried a squeeze bunt that Wallace tossed home for Michelle McKenna to tag out the advancing runner.

The 6th inning saw the Bison get the first out on a pop fly to Kali Lyons. Columbus then followed with an infield single and another base hit. Both runners then advanced to third and second on a wild pitch with one out

A ground ball back to Taryn Placzek in the circle was thrown to 1st for the out and Jessica Einspahr threw home to get the runner trying to score from third.

"Those two defensive plays were big for us," said Coach Lortz. "We are fortunate to have the type of players who can come up with big plays for us."

In the championship game, the Bison fell behind Norfolk in the 2nd inning when Norfolk scored 3 times.

After getting the first two batters out in the bottom of the second, Norfolk had 3 straight singles. A 3 base error allowed the three runs to score as the ball went all the way to the fence. The next batter struck out to end the inning.

The 4th inning saw Cody Korus get a lead off single and after two walks to Michelle McKenna and Marissa Wallace, Korus scored on a wild pitch. Sarah Craw, running for McKenna, and Wallace were left stranded on the bases.

Norfolk followed in the bottom of the 4th by scoring 2 more runs. A single, a double, and a single allowed the runs to score.

A double play where Korus made a catch of a fly ball running towards centerfield and turn and threw to first to force out the runner to end the inning.

In the top of the 5th inning after two were out the Bison got something going. Jessica Einspahr reached first on a walk.

Korus singled up the middle and Einspahr scored after moving to second on a pass ball. Austin Wilson followed with another single. After another pass ball Korus and Wilson were on second and third.

Michelle McKenna then hit a double off the centerfield fence to score Korus and Wilson. A fly ball out ended the scoring in the 5th, but the Bison had pulled to within one and the score was now 4-5.

In the bottom of the 5th, Norfolk's first batter struck out and the second batter walked. The third batter single to left field and the runner from first was throw out trying to go to third on a good throw from Ashley Carfield.

Jessica Einspahr then made a nice catch over her shoulder of a short four ball behind 1st base to end the inning.

McCook went three up and three down on three ground ball outs in the top of the 6th. Norfolk also only had three batters in the 6th inning but their first batter ended up on first after an error was recorded on a tough chance between third and shortstop. The next batter then popped up a bunt attempt that was caught by Einspahr.

A pop fly behind short stop was then caught by Kali Lyons and she threw to first base to record the second double play of the game for the Bison.

The top of the 7th inning Kali Lyons get a lead off single to right field. After a strike out, Korus, Wilson and McKenna each singled and Lyons, Korus and Wilson scored to give the Bison the lead for the first time in the game.

Marissa Wallace started the game in the circle and gave up 5 runs (2 were earned runs), on 6 hits while striking out 3.

Taryn Placzek relieved Wallace after 3 and 1/3 innings to pick up the win.

Placzek pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on 2 hits with 1 strike out. Kirstie Hiatt came in to pitch the 7th inning and recorded the save and gave up 1 hit while striking out 2.

"This was just an unbelievable come back win," added Lortz. "But these kids have never given up this year and are always playing the game with emotion and determination."

The Bison, ranked No. 3 in Nebraska Class B, improved to 22-3.

McCook will compete in the District B-6 Tournament Thursday and Friday at Scottsbluff. Other teams in the district are Alliance, Chadron, Gering and Scottsbluff.