‘Lassies hold off Lady Rangers for sweep

‘Lassies hold off Lady Rangers for sweep

The McLennan Community College Highlassies completed a two-game sweep of Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference rival Ranger College on Monday. But it was anything but easy.

The Highlassies scored two runs in the top of the seventh and then held on to take a 17-15 victory in Game 2 of a slugfest at Ron Butler Field. McLennan had carried a seven-run lead, at 15-8, into the sixth inning before the Lady Rangers broke out the lumber.

Allyson Rodriguez highlighted the Lady Rangers' offensive fireworks show. The RC catcher capped a 4-for-4 performance at the plate by smashing a pair of homers and two doubles while driving in six runs. Jackie Hernandez also did well for the Lady Rangers, collecting a pair of hits and driving in three.

The Highlassies, who lead the NTJCAC race with an 8-1 mark, broke open a 3-3 deadlock in the fourth by scoring eight runs.

Ranger battled back to within striking distance in the home half of the fourth. Sparked by a homer from Rodriguez, the RC women scored five runs in the frame and moved to within 11-8.

Ranger also picked up homers from Abby Luna and Amanda Perez, and a triple from Illeana Salinas

McLennan opened the doubleheader with a 10-1 victory in Game 1. The Highlassies scored six runs in the frame and stretched its lead to 10-1.

Rodriguez collected two of Rangers' five hits in the opener, including a double in the fifth that scored Mercedes Vergara.

Ranger, 12-20 overall and 5-7 in conference, will return to play this Saturday when they host Grayson College. Games will begin at noon.