The No. 3 McLennan Highlanders picked up a doubleheader sweep in today's conference series opener with the Weatherford Coyotes.
McLennan took game one 3-1 with Will Carsten getting the win on the mound and Nick Greaney picking up the save.
The Highlanders began the scoring with one run in the bottom of the fourth as Cole Fontenelle singled and scored on a double by Katcher Halligan.
McLennan added two runs in the sixth as Ty Johnson singled and scored on Fontenelle's home run.
Weatherford's only run came in the top of the seventh. Robin Villanueve reached on an error and Kameron Weil walked. Chase Pendley also reach on an error, bringing Villanueve in to score.
The Highlanders got a 11-3 seven-inning run-rule victory over the Coyotes in the nightcap with Devin Bennett picking up the win on the mound.
McLennan's first run came in the bottom of the first. Johnson walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Cole Dillon walked and Daniel Altman was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Chase Brown also walked, bringing Johnson in to score.
The Highlanders scored another run in the second as Marquis Jackson singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice by Jason Hawkins and scored on a single by Johnson.
All three of Weatherford's runs came in the top of the third inning. Weil and Pendley both singled, and Cal Stark followed with a three-run homer.
McLennan exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Izzy Lopez and Jackson both walked, and Hawkins bunted for a single to load the bases. Hunter Grimes followed with a single to score Lopez and Jackson. Johnson then singled to score Hawkins and Grimes. Johnson stole second and came around to score on a single by Dillon.
The Highlanders sealed the run rule with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Daniel Altman walked, stole second and scored on a single by Ravaughn Morgan. Lopez also singled. A fielder's choice by Jackson put Morgan out at third. Hawkins then walked to load the baes. Grimes also walked, bringing Lopez in to score. Johnson followed with the walk-off two-RBI single, ending the game.
McLennan and Weatherford will complete the series with a noon doubleheader Saturday in Weatherford.
McLennan 3, Weatherford 1
Weatherford 000 000 1 – 1 3 0
McLennan 000 102 x – 3 6 4
Adrian Siravo and Cal Stark. Will Carsten, Nick Greaney (7) and Hank Bard. WP: Carsten; LP: Siravo; SV: Greaney. Leading hitters – Weatherford: Chase Pendley (0-4, RBI) and Noah Boughton (2-3, 2B; McLennan: Ty Johnson (2-3), Cole Fontenelle (2-3, HR, 2 RBI) and Katcher Halligan (1-3, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 22-6-1 (8-1).
McLennan 11, Weatherford 3
Weatherford 003 000 0 – 3 7 0
McLennan 110 500 4 – 11 10 0
Jack Stroud, Micah Berens (4), Bristol Carson (7), Grant Zwald (7), Hunter Estill (7) and Layden White. Devin Bennett, Austin Ford (6) and Jason Hawkins. WP: Bennett; LP: Stroud. Leading hitters – Weatherford: Cal Stark (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Kameron Weil (2-4) and Chase Pendley (2-3); McLennan: Hunter Grimes (1-4, 3 RBI), Ty Johnson (3-4, 5 RBI), Cole Dillon (2-3, 2B, RBI), Chase Brown (0-2, RBI), Ravaughn Morgan (1-1, RBI). Record: McLennan 23-6-1 (9-1).
