Home run-hitting Bison beat Class B Top 10 Bluejays

McCook High's softball girls line up with their well-earned prize following the Hastings St. Cecilia Invitational on Saturday.

Courtesy Photo

HASTINGS, Neb. — Junior Lacyn Keller crushed two of four McCook home runs while pitcher Briley Morgan drove in six more scores during a 12-4 win over Class B Top 10 Seward Saturday afternoon.

Morgan also belted one over the fence as did classmate Malia Hilker.

Meanwhile, Morgan held the Bluejays to four runs total in five innings. She allowed five hits, walked four and struck out four to clinch perhaps McCook's best win so far this season.

The Bison (8-5 overall) stretched their win streak to four which included two eight-run rallies during a 17-16 victory over Kearney Catholic Tuesday night. They also blasted five extra-base hits during Thursday's 12-4 conquest of Lexington.

Morgan's six RBIs became another career best as she also tripled and singled en route to scoring twice.

Hilker also finished three for four with two RBI while Keller delivered two hits, two runs and two RBI.

Junior Danika Havlicek singled, walked twice and scored all three times she reached base.

Junior Paige Bortner singled twice.

Leadoff bat Brooklyn Gillen added two more runs while Sydney Hodgson doubled and touched home.

Junior Dani Johson (run) helped finish the big Bison victory to start play at Saturday's St. Cecilia Invitational.

McCook did drop its final two tourney games vs. Grand Island Central Catholic, 6-4, and 6-3 to host St. Cecilia.

Highlights from both contests:

Vs. GICC

McCook led 1-0 as Havlicek singled and scored on a Crusader fielding error.

GICC countered with two runs during the next two frames.

However, the Bison forced a 4-4 deadlock when catcher Rowen Wiemers singled home both Keller and Johnson.

GICC plated its final two runs for the 6-4 win.

Pitcher Havlicek permitted just one earned run but McCook was charged with three costly errors.

Keller totaled two hits besides one each from Wiemers and Havlicek.

Bortner also scored once.

Vs. St. Cecilia

Morgan pitched five scoreless innings until a six-run Hawkette sixth decided this tourney finale Saturday.

McCook outhit the hosts, 7-4 with Wiemers singling twice and driving in two more RBI.

Bortner singled, scored and batted in a run to bring the Bison within 6-3.

Gillen, Morgan, Hilker and Johnson each added one hit.

After the four-homer opener vs. Seward, McCook's 11 hits through those next two games were all singles.

McCook was set to play Holdrege Monday night but the game was postponed because of wet conditions. Watch for more details.