The No. 6 McLennan Highlanders and Ranger Rangers split today's conference doubleheader in Ranger.
Ranger came from behind to defeat McLennan 6-3 in game one with Alex DeLeon taking the loss on the mound.
The Highlanders began the scoring with a run in the top of the first as Jalen Battles singled, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a single by Cole Moore.
McLennan added two runs in the second. Aidan Shepardson and Ryan Bishop both singled. Battles followed with a single to score Shepardson, and Bishop scored on a Ranger error.
The Rangers got on the board with a run in the second. Angel Velez was safe at first on an error, Kaleb Thompson doubled and David Furguson walked, loading the bases. Velez then came in to score as Shaughn Kelly hit into a double play.
Luis Vargas' solo home run in the third pulled Ranger within one, 3-2.
The Rangers sealed the win with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Justin Cooper walked and Velez was safe on an error. Thompson singled to score Cooper, and Velez was thrown out at second. Furguson also walked. Tucker Burton followed with the three-run homer.
McLennan bounced back with a 9-0 run-rule victory over Ranger in the night cap. Tanner Brooks got the win on the mound, allowing just one hit and striking out five in the seven innings.
The Highlanders began the scoring with a run in the fourth. Shepardson and Vince Ippoliti both singled. Jaylen Williams and Ryan Neitsch then drew back-to-back walks, bringing Shepardson in to score.
Battles led off the fifth with a solo home run. Garrett Martin then doubled and scored on a single by Brett Squires to extend the lead to 3-0.
McLennan added five more runs in the sixth. Neitsch walked and Yeatts singled. Battles followed with a single to score Neitsch. Moore singled and Martin was hit by the pitch, bringing Yeatts in to score. Squires followed with a three-run double.
Another home run by Battles in the seventh rounded out the scoring.
McLennan and Ranger will complete the four-game series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Friday at Bosque River Ballpark.
Ranger 6. McLennan 3
McLennan 120 000 0 – 3 10 4
Ranger 011 004 x – 6 5 2
Alex DeLeon and Ryan Bishop. Austin Smith, Dillon Morris (7) and Angel Velez. WP: Smith; LP: DeLeon; SV: Morris. Leading hitters – McLennan: Jalen Battles (3-4, RBI), Cole Moore (2-4, RBI) and Thomas Santos (1-4, 2B); Ranger: Luis Vargas (2-3, HR, RBI), Kaleb Thompson (2-3, 2B, RBI) and Tucker Burton (1-1, HR, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 36-10 (21-4).
McLennan 9, Ranger 0
McLennan 000 125 1 – 9 12 0
Ranger 000 000 0 – 0 1 1
Tanner Brooks and Vince Ippoliti. Jaret Granger, Edgar Santos (4), Ricky Gerik (5), Steven Dennis (6) and Ricky Rivera. WP: Brooks; LP: Granger. Leading hitters – McLennan: Jalen Battles (3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI), Cole Moore (2-3), Garrett Martin (1-4, 2B, RBI), Brett Squires (2-3, 2B, 4 RBI) and Ryan Neitsch (0-2, RBI). Record: McLennan 37-10 (22-4).
