McLennan Highlanders claim JUCO World Series Championship, wrack up slew of individual honors
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The McLennan Highlanders claimed the 2021 NJCAA Division I Baseball National Championship with a 7-3 victory over the defending champion Central Arizona Vaqueros. Logan Henderson picked up the win on the mound, recording 17 strikeouts in eight innings.
Central Arizona began the scoring with Kiko Romero home run in the top of the fourth.
Dominic Tamez tied the game with a solo home run for McLennan in the bottom of the fourth.
The Highlanders took the lead with Miguel Santos' solo home run in the fifth.
McLennan broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the eighth. Garrett Martin was hit by the pitch and Mason Greer drew a walk. Tamez followed with a triple to score Martin and Greer. Alex Lopez doubled to score Tamez, and Lopez scored on a double by Williams. Williams then stole third and scored on a throwing error.
The Vaqueros rounded out the scoring with two runs in the top of the ninth. Dayton Dooney single and Tyler Griggs doubled. Both runners came in to score on a Highlander error.
The national championship is the first for the McLennan Baseball program since 1983. The title came with a slew of individual honors for the Highlander players and coaching staff:
All-Tournament Team Selections
Infielder Mason Greer, McLennan (TX)
Infielder: Miguel Santos
Pitcher: Logan Henderson
Designated Hitter: Blake Jackson
Bus Bergman Coach of the Tournament: Mitch Thompson
Robert Purkey, Jr. Memorial Outstanding Pitcher: Logan Henderson
Daily Sentinel Tournament MVP: Logan Henderson, McLennan (TX)
McLennan 7, Central Arizona 3
Central Arizona 000 100 002 – 3 4 1
McLennan 000 110 05x – 7 12 1
Shane Spencer, Leo Palacios (6), Cristian Sanchez (8), Tyler Woessner (8), Drew Sommers (8) and Seth Beckstead. Logan Henderson, Landry Wideman (9) and Dominic Tamez. WP: Henderson; LP: Spencer. Leading hitters – Central Arizona: Kiko Romero (1-4, HR, RBI), J.D. McLaughlin (1-4, 3B) and Tyler Griggs (1-1, 2B); McLennan: Miguel Santos (1-5, HR, RBI), Blake Jackson (2-5, RBI), Garrett Martin (1-4, 2B), Dominic Tamez (4-4, 3B, HR, 3 RBI), Alex Lopez (2-4, 2B, RBI) and Jaylen Williams (1-4, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 47-16 (24-7).