Highlanders fly by Hawks in district opener

The second-ranked McLennan Highlanders opened the NJCAA Southwest District B Championship with an 8-0 run-rule victory over the Howard Hawks at Bosque River Ballpark. Natalie Klenda picked up the win in the circle, allowing one hit while striking out four.
 
McLennan put five runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Trinity Allen led off with a single, and MJ Nicholson was hit by the pitch. Macie Jansky also singled, loading the bases. Ally Thompson singled to score Allen, and Nicholson scored on a single by Aynsli Lawson. Madison Levsey grounded out, scoring Jansky. Tehya Pitts followed with a single to score Thompson, and Lawson scored on the throw.
 
The Highlanders added two runs in the fifth as Allen reached on an error and scored on Nicholson's home run.
 
McLennan's winning run came in the bottom of the sixth. Madison Garcia doubled and Pitts singled. Mickayla Tosch followed with the walk-off singled, scoring Garcia.
 
The Highlanders will face Temple Thursday at 10 a.m. on day two of the tournament.
 
McLennan 8, Howard 0
Howard 000 000 – 0 1 1
McLennan 000 521 – 8 12 0
Kaela Martinez and Aryah Barrera. Natalie Klenda and Macie Jansky. WP: Klenda; LP: Martinez. Leading hitters – Howard: Beatrice Hitomi (1-2); McLennan: Tehya Pitts (3-4, 2 RBI), Mickayla Tosch (1-4, RBI), Trinity Allen (2-3), MJ Nicholson (1-2, HR, 2 RBI), Ally Thompson (2-3, 3B, RBI), Aynsli Lawson (1-3, RBI), Madison Levsey (0-3, RBI) and Madison Garcia (1-3, 2B). Record: McLennan 50-6 (30-2).