The defending Class 6 state girls softball champion McLean Highlanders began their 2024 high-school season with a convincing 10-1 road victory over the South Lakes Seahawks
Ace pitcher Hailey Simpson hurled a complete-game one-hitter with nine strikeouts to get the win, as she did last spring in McLean’s three state-tourney games.
McLean had 13 hits, led by three from Riley Staats, including a double and two stolen bases.
Emory Hadden had a two-run single for the Highlanders, Sydney Walker had a two-run double, and Madeline Staats, Sasha Kirk, Sophie Kaintoch, Elise Walker and Chelsea Engle had RBI singles.
McLean got its hitting attack started by scoring three times in the first inning.
McLean’s next two games are against Liberty District rivals Marshall and Wakefield before playing multiple times at a spring-break tournament.
