No. 8 Highlanders run rule No. 19 Thunderbirds

The No. 8 McLennan Highlanders opened its three-game series with No. 19 New Mexico this afternoon at Bosque River Ballpark, picking up a 10-0 run-rule victory over the Thunderbirds. Devin Bennett got the win on the mound for the Highlanders.
 
McLennan's first two runs came in the bottom of the first. Hunter Grimes, Ty Johnson and Daniel Altman all walked to load the bases. Cole Fontenelle followed with a single to score Grimes, and Johnson scored on a balk.
 
The Highlanders broke the game open with six runs in the second. Marquis Jackson reached on an error and Izzy Lopez walked. Grimes followed with a three-run homer. Altman and Fontenelle both walked. Ravaughn Morgan followed with a single to score Altman. Cole Dillon walked and Jackson was hit by the pitch, bringing Fontenelle in to score. Lopez then walked again, scoring Morgan.
 
McLennan secured the run rule with two runs in the fifth. Johnson singled and stole second and third. Altman walked and Johnson scored on an error. Fontenelle followed with the walk-off RBI-double that scored Altman to win the game.
 
The Highlanders and Thunderbirds will complete the series with a noon doubleheader Saturday at Bosque River Ballpark.
 
McLennan 10, New Mexico 0
New Mexico 000 00 – 0 3 2
McLennan 260 02 – 10 6 2
Paul Coppinger, Fernando Gonzalez (1) and Luis Gonzalez. Devin Bennett, Will Carsten (5) and Hank Bard. WP: Bennett; LP: Coppinger. Leading hitters – McLennan: Hunter Grimes (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Cole Fontenelle (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Ravaughn Morgan (1-2, RBI), Marquis Jackson (0-2, RBI) and Izzy Lopez (0-1, RBI). Record: McLennan 11-5-1.