Highlanders pick up series sweep of Coastal Bend

The McLennan Highlanders picked up a three-game series sweep of the Coastal Bend Cougars this weekend at Bosque River Ballpark.

On Friday afternoon, the Highlanders defeated the Cougars 7-2.

McLennan jumped ahead early with four runs in the bottom of the first. Evan Williams led off with a single and Matt Campbell doubled. Max Hogan followed with a single, scoring Williams. Trevor Podsednik then singled to score Campbell. Mason George also singled, scoring Hogan. Podsednik and George advanced on a passed ball. Sydney Daley then singled to score Podsednik.

Coastal Bend got on the board with one run in the second as John Ramirez singled, moved around to third on a double by Alex Grosclose and scored on a groundout by Austin Gibson.

Rayce Gatlin's home run in the fourth gave the Cougars their final run.

The Highlanders rounded out the scoring with three runs in the eighth. George doubled to begin the inning and Daley was safe on a bunt. Miles Manning drew a walk to load the bases. Hogan then tripled to score George, Daley and Manning.

"I'm very pleased with our effort today," coach Mitch Thompson said. "Our pitching and defense were good. Offensively, we had some big at-bats early in the game, and Hogan came up big again for us in the eighth inning. As a team offensively, we can and will continue to improve."

McLennan completed the sweep with two wins on Saturday.

The Highlanders took game one 4-3 with Greg Maisto getting the win on the mound. Podsednik lead the Highlanders at the plate, going 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Zach Gonzalez and Braxton Hollenshead also recorded RBIs.

McLennan defeated the Highlanders 11-3 in the nightcap with Kody Hessemer getting the win. Manning and Campbell both hit triples, and Jonathan Tauzin hit a double. Zac Valenzuela, Dalton Rodriguez, Manning and Tauzin all recorded two RBIs each.

The Highlanders begin conference play on Wednesday, traveling to Gainesville for a noon doubleheader with North Central. 

Coastal Bend 010 100 000 – 2 5 2

McLennan 400 000 03x – 7 10 0

Andrew Soto, Chris Solano (5), Rex Hoyt and John Ramirez. Matt Mundkowsky, Conner Camacho (6), Tyler Watson (8) and Mason George. WP: Mundkowsky; LP: Andrew Soto; Save: Tyler Watson. Leading hitters – Coastal Bend: Rayce Gatlin (1-3, HR), Alex Grosclose (1-2, 2B) and Austin Gibson (0-2, RBI); McLennan: Matt Campbell (1-4, 2B), MAx hogan (2-5, 2B, 4 RBI), Trevor Podsednik (1-4, RBI), Mason George (2-4, 2B, RBI) and Sydney Daley (2-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 9-7.

McLennan 4, Coastal Bend 3

Coastal Bend 200 010 0 – 3 5 1

McLennan 000 400 x – 4 4 2

Rony Chavarria, Jonathan Acosta (5), Benny Zamudio (6) and Aaron Watts.

Greg Maisto, Patrick Herbelin and J.T. Stevenson. WP: Maisto; LP: Chavarria; Save: Herbelin. Leading hitters – Coastal Bend: Jeremy Olivo (1-2, RBI), Josh Cruz (0-3, RBI) and Rayce Gatlin (1-2, RBI); McLennan: Zach Gonzalez (0-3, RBI), Trevor Podsednik (2-3, 2B, RBI) and Braxton Hollenshead (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 9-7.

McLennan 11, Coastal Bend 3

Coastal Bend 002 001 000  – 3 8 3

McLennan 001 050 14x – 11 12 3

Randy Sanchez, Rex Hoyt (4), Adrian Acosta (7), Chris Castillo (7), Richard Seqovia (8) and John Ramirez. Kody Hessemer, Nathan Bertness (6), Miles Manning (9) and Dalton Rodriquez. WP: Hessemer; LP: Sanchez. Leading hitters – Coastal Bend: Justin Sanchez (2-4), Cody Perez (1-3, 2B) and Rayce Gatlin (2-3, RBI); McLennan: Matt Campbell (2-5, 3B, RBI), Lorenzo Lynch (1-5, RBI), Zac Valenzuela (2-3, 2 RBI), Dalton Rodriguez (1-,3 2 RBI), Miles Manning (2-4, 3B, 2 RBI), Jonathan Tauzin (1-1, 2B, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 10-7.