Bison softball team headed back to state

McCook High School's Austin Wilson follows through on what turned out to be an inside-the-park home run Thursday at the Class B-6 district softball tournament at Gering. (Mary Jo Serbousek)

GERING -- The McCook High School softball team will be making its sixth consecutive trip to the Nebraska Class B state tournament.

The Bison handed Lexington a 1-0 loss in the second championship game Friday at the Class B-6 district tournament at Gering.

McCook's Marissa Wallace pitched a three-hitter for the Bison and struck out eight.

Michelle McKenna led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double.

Jessica Einspahr pinch-ran for McKenna and advanced to third base on a ground ball off the bat of Kayla Wilson.

McKenna then scored the game's only run on a passed ball.

Lexington, which won a consolation game Thursday against Scottsbluff, forced the second championship game with a 5-1 victory.

McCook opened tournament play Thursday with a 13-5 victory over Gering.

The Bison then handed Lexington a 5-1 setback to move into the championship.

One of the offensive highlights in the first Lexington win Thursday was an inside-the-park home run by Austin Wilson.

The Bison improved to 18-13 and will play a first-round state tournament game at 3 p.m. at Omaha's Seymour Smith Park.

Regardless of winning or losing the first game, McCook will pay again at 5 or 5:30p.m.

"We played pretty good at times," said McCook softball coach Dale Lortz.

The Bison are a young team that features just two seniors -- second baseman Kim Serbousek and outfielder/pitcher Natalie Brooks.

In addition to Wallace, the Bison mound corps features Stephanie Douglas, Taryn Placzek and Kirstie Hiatt.