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Inside-park home run ignites flurry of Bison scores
McCOOK, Neb. — Like a really cheesy good hot dog at the concession stand, there was no stopping McCook’s softball girls once they got their first good taste of success Tuesday night.
Senior Malia Hilker unleashed the sharp teeth after a fairly 0-0 deadlock through 3 1/2 innings with Cozad.
Hilker’s been known to run through a good baserunning “pickle”, dodging defenders and maybe even leaving some strewn about like leftover bun crumbs.
Hilker cut a sharp line drive deep into left-center field and well past Cozad’s closest defender.
The trek around those four bases was faster than most champion eaters can finish four good dogs.
Hilker blasted around third while thumbing any “stop signs” (though none were seen) and scored to finally give her Bison the 1-0 lead.
Wow, that smelled good. Let’s all join in this tasty buffet.
Senior Roslyn Wiemers preferred walking as McCook continued building towards its eventual 9-0 victory.
Senior Danika Havlicek seemed hungry for some fun after last week’s unfortunate auto action.
She was speeding all the way to first base on an infield hit while “courtesy” runner Josilin Miller took second.
Senior Briley Morgan then sizzled a seemingly easy onion to Cozad’s shortstop.
Yet Bison hustle made sure no one was retired while Miller dashed home to make it 2-0.
Miller had stolen third base which set up Morgan’s RBI.
Seniors Sydney Hodgson and Dani Johnson figured they better get some running in because there was likely better post-game victory cuisine than cheesy dogs.
Johnson reached on a Haymaker fielding flub.
Though a runner was out on Hodgson’s grounder, the bases were still loaded when super farm producer Brooklynn Gillen decided it was time to make some real hay.
Gillen blasted an absolute missile again past all the potential Haymaker defenders.
Morgan scored, Johnson scored, Hodgson scored and then ...
Where in the name of Ballpark Franks is that throw going?
Gillen also scored when the ball eluded Haymakers and McCook owned a 6-0 lead.
The Bison (8-3 record) tacked on three more runs, but Morgan really didn’t need any more friends’ support.
The No. 1 Bison pitcher allowed exactly ZERO Cozad runs in six innings, striking out 13 and walking only two besides three harmless Haymaker singles.
Gillen matched that total alone with three hits, two runs and four RBI.
Senior Paige Bortner also tripled, singled and delivered two ribbies.
Hilker and Havlicek totaled two each of 11 Bison hits.
Senior Lacyn Keller (one hit, one run) was another contributor to this latest strong Bison softball victory.
McCook is already busy today, taking on Lincoln Standing Bear to start action today in Hastings.