The top-seeded McLean Highlanders (17-5) defended their championship by winning the Liberty District girls softball tournament with a 2-0 record.
McLean shut out the Wakefield Warriors of Arlington, 4-0, in the high-school final with Hailey Simpson throwing a six-hitter and striking out 10. She had four one-two-three innings.
With the bat for McLean, Chelsea Engle singled and doubled, Gabby Colder doubled and Emory Hadden and Abby Hart had hits. Hart had two RBI.
In the semifinals, McLean defeated the Yorktown Patriots of Arlington, 8-4, as Simpson threw a complete game to get the win.
Hart and E.K. Templer each had two hits and two RBI for McLean, Madeline Staats singled and stole two bases, Taylor Staats had an RBI double, Riley Staats singled and had an RBI, Hadden singled and Gennie Fagan had a sacrifice fly.
McLean advances to the 6D North Region tournament. Last season, McLean finished second in the region and moved on to the semifinals of the Virginia High School League's Class 6 state tournament.
