Bison softball team claims district opener

ALLIANCE -- The McCook High School softball team used a pair of four-run innings Thursday to defeat Gering 8-0 in the first game of the Nebraska Class B-6 district tournament in Alliance.

In other B-6 games at Alliance, Gering defeated Alliance 12-0, Chadron defeated Scottsbluff 7-2 and Scottsbluff defeated Alliance 14-3.

The Bison (25-3) played Chadron (23-3) in the semifinals Friday morning. The other semifinal featured Gering vs. Scottsbluff.

After going the first two innings and leaving three runners on base without scoring, the Bison broke loose and scored four runs in the third inning.

Austin Wilson led off the inning with a double to right-center field. Cody Korus walked and Kayla Wilson was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

With one ou,t Michelle McKenna hit a fly ball to right field to score Austin Wilson from third and Korus moved to third after tagging up.

Kayla Wilson then moved to second on a stolen base. Korus and Kayla Wilson both scored when Jessica Einsphar hit a ground ball to the third baseman and the throw was not handled at first.

Einspahr stole second and scored on a single by Andrea Soden.

The Bison scored four more in the fifth inning. Kayla Wilson was once again hit by a pitch, McKenna singled and Einspahr bunted for a single to load the bases.

Sarah Craw, running for Kayla Wilson, scored on a sacrifice fly by Soden. Kali Lyons, running for McKenna, scored on a passed ball.

Kristie Hiatt got a hit to score Einsphar and Marissa Wallace singled in Hiatt.

Stephanie Douglas started the game and was relieved by Taryn Placzek in the third inning after she faced seven batters and gave up one hit and struck out one.

Placzek pitched the next four innings, allowing two hits and striking out two. Hiatt pitched the last inning, She struck out two and gave up one hit.

"We did a nice job tonight and it is always nice to win your first game of the district tournament," said McCook softball coach Dale Lortz.