Bison girls win big-time over Pius, Islanders; push Skutt

HASTINGS, Neb. — Getting "hit in the mouth" only meant McCook High softball girls started breathing fire while beating Class A Grand Island and no-hitting Lincoln Pius X in Saturday's Hastings Invitational.

The Bison (19-6 record) dropped a rough 6-4 tourney opener against Omaha Skutt (13-5), currently ranked for power points among Class B teams.

"We had a chance to win, just one or two plays decided it," coach Easton Gillen said.

McCook seniors Paige Bortner (facing camera) and Roslyn Wiemers hug after Bortner scored the winning run in Saturday's 8-7 comeback win over Class A Grand Island at the Hastings Invite. Wiemers earlier drove in the huge last at-bat run that made it 7-7.

Deanna Johnson/Courtesy Photo

Class A Grand Island quickly blasted ahead, 3-0, which Gillen called a hit to the Bison mouth yet before any G.I. fan could breathe deeply...

McCook was leading 4-3. Seniors Roslyn Wiemers and Briley Morgan both delivered two-RBI singles.

The Islanders jet-skilled in front again, 7-5, as tourney game time appeared to be running out on those Bison.

McCook senior Briley Morgan pitched yet another no-hitter this time against the Lincoln Pius X Thunderbolts at Saturday's Hastings Invitational. The Bison went 2-1 while raising their season record to 19-6.

Deanna Johnson/Courtesy Photo

Yet these nine seniors rallied again when Paige Bortner singled, Malia HIlker walked and Danika Havlicek ripped an RBI-hit to make it 7-6.

"With a great at-bat and good situational hitting", Wiemers put another ball into play that scored Havlicek for the 7-7 deadlock that did not lost long.

Because Bortner soon sprinted home on an errant pitch and McCook had an amazing 8-7 win.

McCook senior Brooklynn Gillen takes second base while a Grand Island Islander handles the high throw at Saturday's Hastings Invitational. Gillian's lead-off hit sparked the four-run first inning and McCook eventually scored an 8-7 comeback victory.

Deanna Johnson/McCook Gazette

"Our girls just never gave up," coach Gillen confirmed. "It was great to see them battle back by that."

The Bison soon made three hits pay for a 3-0 triumph over Pius X as Morgan pitched her third no-hitter during recent weeks. More about the tourney and McCook's contests will appear in the next Gazette.

The leaders from each Bison tournament game Saturday:

Skutt 6, McCook 4

The Bison led 3-1 until Skutt's five-run fourth.They also outhit the Skyhawks, 9-5, yet Skutt pounced on three Bison errors while committing none.

Brooklynn Gillen was a super three-for-three, a double and two singles while driving in two RBI.

Bortner doubled and singled, proving to be just as good as peanut butter which shares her initials.

Wiemers' homer was another highlight while Morgan, Havlicek and Lacyn Keller all singled with Keller knocking in another run.

McCook 8, Grand Island 7

The Bison won on seven singles and four defensive errors from those 9-12 Islanders.

Gillen, Havlicek and Bortner each scored two runs as McCook's super 1-2-3 top-of-the-order punch. They teamed for five of those seven Bison hits.

Wiemers plated three RBI while Morgan batted in two. Morgan pitched 2 1/3 innings for the win and Havlicek worked 1 2/3.

McCook 3, Lincoln Pius X 0

Hiker's two-RBI hit gave McCook enough offense though Bortner batted in the other Bison run.

Gillen added the other base hit, though she reached base twice and went on to score both times.

Havlicek also scored a run to go with two walks.

Morgan's six no-hit innings in the circle featured six strikeouts with four walks.

The Bison now get ready to visit North Platte Tuesday night where those Class A Bulldogs are currently 7-13.