HUGHES SPRINGS, Texas - McLeod made sure to keep its postseason aspirations alive against Rivercrest Friday night in a Class 2A bi-district softball playoff game at Lady Mustangs Field.
The Lady Longhorns (13-4) throttled the Lady Rebels (10-13), 12-2.
The best-of-three series is tied at 1-1 following Rivercrest's 3-1 win in the opener. The final game of the series will be played at noon today at Lady Mustangs Field in Hughes Springs.
Ella Lambeth and Kaitlyn Cross scored for the Longhorns on Rivercrest fielding errors in the top of the first inning.
Lambeth finished the game going 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored for the Longhorns.
Kenslee Cross started in the circle for McLeod. Cross tossed a complete game, gave up one run and six hits in her outing.
Kenslee Cross gave herself some insurance at the plate in the top of the third inning, hitting a solo home run into the trees, giving the Longhorns a 3-0 cushion over the Rebs.
Peyton Johnson drove in Kaitlyn Cross and Jessica Lawson, extending the Longhorns lead over the Rebels in the top of the third inning, 5-0.
Johnson went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI.
Kaitlyn Cross drove in Stormy Johnson in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly to center field, giving McLeod a 6-0 advantage over Rivercrest.
Johnson went 2 for 5 with a run scored for the Longhorns.
McKenzie Walton drove in Korie Mankins in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting Rivercrest on the scoreboard, 6-1.
Kenslee Cross hit her second homer of the game in the sixth inning, driving in Lambeth and extending the Longhorns' lead over the Rebs, 8-1.
Cary May added an RBI-single and Sibbi Cormier crossed home plate on a Rivercrest throwing error before the end of the inning, making the score McLeod 10-1.
May finished the game going 1 for 3 with an RBI and a stolen base for the Longhorns.
Lambeth and Kenslee Cross added an RBI apiece in the sixth frame, giving McLeod its first double-digit run lead of the game, 12-1.
Logan Huddleston added an RBI-single for the Rebs in the sixth inning.
The McLeod-Rivercrest winner advances to next week's area round against the Frankston-Overton winner. Frankston holds a 1-0 advantage following a 1-0 victory in the opener. Game 2 is set for 4:30 p.m. today at Rusk High School. A game 3, if necessary, will follow.