Bison make hay at Cozad's expense with 9-0 win

McCook's Josilin Miller slides in safely while the ball appears to slip from Cozad's third baseman during a huge six-run inning for the Bison Tuesday evening in McCook. The Bison turned that 6-0 lead into their 9-0 victory as senior pitcher Briley Morgan (below) struck out 13 Haymakers. Bottom photo features senior Brooklynn Gillen finishing a bases-clearing triple where she also scored after an errant Cozad throw into third.Teammates (left) Sydney Hodgson, Dani Johnson and Briley Morgan all are ready to greet Gillen.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

COZAD, Neb. — Top performers from McCook's 9-0 win over Cozad Tuesday night as the varsity softball girls raised their season record to 8-3 overall:

The Bison splattered 11 hits with none more lethal than senior Brooklynn Gillen's triple, two singles, two runs scored and four RBI. Gillian's bases-clearing triple took a 2-0 Bison advantage to 6-0.

— Senior Paige Bortner tripled, singled and drove home two runs;

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

— Senior Malia Hilker's inside-the-park home run ignited that six-run McCook fifth inning. She also singled.

— Senior Danika Havlicek delivered two hits with one each from classmates Sydney Hodgson and Lacyn Keller.

— Seniors Dani Johnson and Briley Morgan both drove home another RBI while scoring one run each;

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

— Morgan's pitching powered the Bison victory. She threw all six shutout innings, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out 13.

The Bison (8-3) play two in Hastings Thursday before hosting Saturday's annual home invitational starting at 9 a.m. Watch for more in an upcoming Gazette.