Bison leaders from B-3 district finale at GI Northwest

McCook junior Brooklyn Gillen launched a solo home run to lead off the first inning of game two in Saturday's B-3 district finals series against Grand Island Northwest. McCook took a 2-0 lead, but the defending Class B state champs unloaded for 10 third-inning runs en route to their 19-7 clincher. Northwest starts state at Hastings on Wednesday.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — McCook's best hitters during the B-3 district finals on Saturday where defending champion Northwest scored 11-6 and 19-7 wins at Veterans Park.

Watch for more details in Tuesday's McCook Gazette.

Paige Bortner 3-for-7, home run, two runs, three RBI

McCook junior Paige Bortner delivered three hits including a three-run homer in game one at Grand Island's Veterans Park on Saturday.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

Danika Havlicek 3-for-7, double, one run, three RBI

Sydney Hodgson 3-for-6, one run, one RBI

Brooklyn Gillen, 2-for-6, home run, two runs scored, two RBI

McCook catcher Roslyn Wiemers threw out the first Northwest baserunner to start game one of Saturday's B-3 district final.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

Malia Hilker 2-for-7, two runs

Briley Morgan 1-for-5, home run, two runs, RBI

Lacyn Keller 1-for-6, two runs

McCook junior Danika Havlicek started both games in the pitcher's circle at the B-3 finals on Saturday at Grand Island.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

Roslyn Wiemers 1-for-6, walk

Dani Johnson 0-for-7, run

Briley Morgan 7 2/3 inniings, 5 earned runs, 8 hits, 2 strikeouts

Besides some big game one hits, McCook junior center fielder Malia Hilker made a tumbling catch against the outfield fence that erased one potential Northwest home run on Saturday.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCook junior Lacyn Keller was the Bison team leader in batting average, home runs and top five in just about every offensive category this 2023 season.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCook juniors Brooklyn Gillen and Briley Morgan (right) are among all the Bison who could smile about their second consecutive district finals season which also featured their first winning softball record at 14-13 since 2017.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette