YUMA, ARIZ. The Odessa College softball team couldn’t get out of the first inning and that proved to be the start of a tough day for the Lady Wranglers.
McLennan Community College hit five home runs en route to a 12-4 run-rule victory against the Lady Wranglers in the championship semifinal of the NJCAA Division I Softball Championship Friday at Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex.
The victory moves the Highlassies (59-6) into the championship game.
They will face either Odessa College, Florida Southwestern State or Chattanooga State at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Florida Southwestern and Chattanooga State met Friday afternoon for the right to advance to face the Lady Wranglers in the consolation bracket final at 7 p.m. Friday.
Odessa College defeated Florida Southwestern, 2-1, on Thursday.
The Lady Wranglers are guaranteed a third-place finish, which would match 2004-05 team for the best in program history.
Kawehi Ili and Ari Ybarra both homered for Odessa College (55-6).
Those were the only hits for the Lady Wranglers on the afternoon as McLennan starter Hailey Hudson was in complete control, striking out nine while allowing just the two hits in 4.2 innings of work.
Odessa College starter Fadwa Ben karim struggled, allowing five runs on four hits in the first inning without recording an out.
Rayna Cruickshanks pitched 3.1 innings of relief and surrendered seven runs on nine hits as the Lady Wranglers struggled in the circle.
Ili hit a solo home run in the first inning, with Ybarra hitting a three-run homer in the fourth.
In between, however, McLennan was able to push nine runs across the plate.
The Highlassies, who were swept by Odessa College in a nonconference doubleheader in February, finished with 13 hits that included the five home runs and three doubles.
Caitlyn Wong finished 2-for 3 with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBIs to lead McLennan.
Ka’Lyn Watson, Jenny Robinson and Riley Rutherford also homered for the Highlassies.
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