McGahuey sparks Carson past Galena

It was a case of too much Christa McGahuey.

McGahuey hit a two-run homer in the first inning and pitched a complete-game 5-hitter to lead the Carson Senators to a 4-2 win over Galena Thursday afternoon in a Northern 4A softball game.

Carson improved to 5-2 in league and 9-3 overall heading into Saturday's doubleheader against perennial powerhouse Reed starting at 10 a.m. in Sparks.

There was a downside to the win, however. Speedy centerfielder Morgan Kleine hurt her knee late in the game and had to leave the contest. Her status for Saturday is unknown, according to head coach Scott Vickrey.

"Christa threw well," Vickrey said after the contest. "She had really good control."

McGahuey struck out four and didn't walk a batter. She retired the first nine batters of the game. She allowed single runs in the fourth and sixth.

Carson took a 2-0 lead in the first when McGahuey slugged a two-run homer.

The Senators made it 3-0 in the third when Jen Purcell walked, moved to second on a single by McGahuey, to third on a passed ball, and scored on Danielle Morrow's sacrifice fly.

Galena cut the lead to 3-1 in the fourth on an unearned run, but Carson came right back with a run in the bottom of the fourth when Galena committed two errors.

McGahuey went 2-for-3, while Morrow, Lindsey Ashbaugh and Rebecca Breuer added a hit apiece.