North scratched across a pair of runs, and Bailey Licht pitched a game in the Rangers’ 2-0 win at Kenston on Monday.

Licht allowed just two hits and struck out nine in the victory.

“This was one of Bailey’s tougher games,” said North coach Matt McPeek. “Everything was working for her. She didn’t get into trouble and kept walks to a minimum. We had a clutch hit from Maddy (Ferrari), and then in the last couple of innings, we started having better at-bats, putting the bat on the ball, and putting some pressure on the defense, and that’s what we’ve been preaching all year.”

The Rangers broke a scoreless tie with one run in the top of the third.

Olivia Credico led off with a single, and Gianna Pintar was hit by a pitch with one out. Ferrari’s clutch two-out RBI single gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

It remained that way until North added an insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Sarah Avery singled, and Melanie Okerwall reached on an error to start the frame. Bella Dutko singled to load the bases, and Pintar followed with a sacrifice fly that made it 2-0.

“That was really clutch,” McPeek said of the insurance run. “The girl in center field had a cannon, but we were going no matter what. Gianna did a great job getting the bat on the ball and putting it out into the grass, giving us a chance, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Licht struck out three of the four batters she faced in the seventh to seal North’s win.

“I’ve learned over the past year that controlling my breathing allows me to channel that energy, especially in a close game,” Licht said. “It encourages me to work the zone and have confidence in my defense. It also helps when our catcher, Maddy, picks off a runner after I give up a leadoff single. That was a huge play by her, and then in the same inning, Brynne turned a double play. That really got me amped.”

Latini, Ferrari, Licht, Avery, Credico, Dutko, and Pintar each had hits for the Rangers, who have won two straight.

“The biggest thing for us has been putting pressure on the defense,” McPeek said. “The kid from Kenston, Quinn Robertson, she’s a good pitcher. She plays high-level travel, and you basically have to sit on one pitch the entire at-bat with her because she’ll throw you four different types of pitches. When you see it, you have to bang it out there.”

North hosts Gilmour Academy on Tuesday.