Cougars rally in opener, stay unbeaten with second win to begin season
After a weather-delayed start to the spring, the Central McLean Cougars softball team wasted little time finding its rhythm, opening the 2026 campaign with back-to-back wins over Carrington and New England/Bowman.
Central McLean first took the field April 10 at Turtle Lake-Mercer High School, overcoming an early deficit to defeat Carrington 17-10 in a high-scoring season opener.
Head coach Jody Fylling said getting that first game in was a relief after early-season postponements.
“It was nice to finally get a game in due to the weather,” Fylling said. “I was really proud of the girls for fighting back once we got down.”
Carrington applied early pressure, forcing the Cougars to respond, and Central McLean answered with a relentless offensive surge.
The Cougars pounded out hits throughout the lineup and capitalized on patience at the plate to fuel the comeback.
Abigail Gross led the offensive charge with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, adding an RBI and a walk.
River Fylling followed closely behind, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while Kaylee Rust delivered a big day with a 2-for-5 effort and four RBIs.
Brooklyn Tomlinson contributed three hits in four at-bats with an RBI and a walk, while Nora Fiedler added a hit and two RBIs.
Sally Heger chipped in an RBI, and Zella Anderson drove in two runs while drawing three walks to keep innings alive.
In the circle, River Fylling started and worked four innings, allowing seven hits and nine runs, eight earned, while striking out three and walking seven.
Abigail Gross provided a steady presence in relief, shutting the door over the final three innings, allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out one.