Bison blast past Minutemaids; now 7-3 on season

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s softball girls crushed five extra-base hits and are starting to make 9-0 finishing runs a regular routine. Thankfully, Thursday was not nearly as dramatic as Tuesday’s 17-16 comeback win over Kearney Catholic. The Bison trailed 16-8 with six outs remaining on that night. On Thursday, McCook briefly trailed 4-3 but quickly took control of a 12-4 win over the visiting Lexington Minutemaids. Junior Briley Morgan tripled twice, including a tie-breaking shot that scored two for the 6-4 lead McCook would never relinquish. Junior Lacyn Keller tripled off the fence while driving home two more teammates. Classmate Malia Hilker later launched another three-base hit and totaled three RBIsIt was more than enough support for winning pitcher Danika Havlicek, who blanked district rival Lexington throguh the final three frames. Havlicek threw a three-hitter, walking just two and striking out seven. No fewer than three of the four Lexington runs were unearned. McCook’s now 7-3 entering a challenging Hastings Tournament hosted by St. Cecilia on Saturday. The Hastings Tigers crushed Kearney Catholic, 23-7, Thursday evening. Morgan’s three-for-three hitting, three runs and four RBI topped the McCook attack. She has delivered a team-best 10 RBI through these first 10 contests. Keller added a single for two hits with her two RBI. Gillen, Havlicek and Hilker each scored two runs. Junior Paige Bortner added a hit and RBI to her Bison-best .458 batting average entering Thursday night. Other Bison leaders through 10 games: Total hits: Havlicek 13, Bortner 12, Morgan 12. Runs: Hilker 14, Gillen 11, Havlicek 10. Stolen bases: Havlicek 6, Hilker 5, Bortner 4.