The McLennan Highlassies improved their conference record to 14-5 with a doubleheader sweep of the Ranger Lady Rangers this afternoon at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan picked up a 9-1 five-inning run-rule victory over Ranger in game one with Destiny Guerra in the circle.
The Highlassies began the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first. Sophie Wideman and Emeri Eubanks both singled. Kaitlin Richards followed with a single to score Wideman.
McLennan added another run in the second. Olivia Lantigua and Rebeca Fajardo both singled. Brooke Arnold followed with a fielder's choice, putting Lantigua out at third. Charley Avery then singled to score Fajardo.
Three more Highlassie runs scored in the third. Eubanks doubled, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Richards. All runners were safe on a fielder's choice by Lantigua. Fajardo walked and Arnold singled to score Richards and Lantigua.
McLennan scored four in the fourth. Arianna Perales drew a lead-off walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Eubanks. Richards followed with a two-run homer. Lantigua then tripled and scored on a single by Fajardo.
Ranger's only run came in the top of the fifth as Paige Smith doubled and came around to score on a wild pitch.
Game two was another run-rule victory, this one 12-4 in six innings with Carla Torres in the circle.
Ranger took the early lead with a run in the top of the first. Sidney Garza singled and Allyson Rodriguez reached on an error, allowing Garza to score.
The Lady Rangers added a run in the second as Amanda Perez singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dariann Smith, advanced to third on a ground out by Alyssa Berlanga and stole home.
McLennan tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the third. Avery reached on an error, stole second and scored on a double by Perales. Wideman drew a walk and Eubanks singled to score Perales.
Ranger regained the lead with a Rodriguez home run in the fifth.
The Highlassies responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth. Wideman led off with a solo home run. Eubanks singled and scored on a Richards home run. Lantigua walked and Fajardo singled. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Lindy Alexander and scored on a single by Kaitlin Morkisch.
The Lady Rangers added a run in the sixth as Dariann Smith tripled and scored on a fielder's choice by Berlanga.
McLennan scored five more in the sixth. Wideman once again led off with a solo home run. Eubanks doubled and Richards reached on an error. Lantigua followed with a single to score Eubanks. Fajardo also reached on an error, allowing Richards to score, and Lantigua scored on a sacrifice fly by Alexander. Arnold then tripled to score Fajardo and end the game.
The Highlassies return to action Saturday, traveling to Grayson for a noon doubleheader.
McLennan 9, Ranger 1
Ranger 000 01 – 1 2 0
McLennan 113 4x – 9 14 0
Jackie Hernandez, Paige Smith (4) and Allyson Rodriguez. Destiny Guerra and Kaitlin Richards. WP: Guerra; LP: Hernandez. Leading hitters – Paige Smith (1-2, 2B); McLennan: Charley Avery (2-3, RBI), Emeri Eubanks (3-3, 2 2B, RBI), Kaitlin Richards (3-3, HR, 4 RBI), Olivia Lantigua (2-3, 3B), Rebeca Fajardo (2-2, RBI) and Brooke Arnold (1-2, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan: 22-14 (13-5).
McLennan 12, Ranger 4
Ranger 110 011 – 4 8 4
McLennan 002 055 – 12 14 1
Dariann Smith, Paige Smith (5), Macey Fogleman (5) and Allyson Rodriguez. Carla Torres and Sophie Wideman. WP: Torres; LP: D. Smith. Leading hitters – Ranger: Sidney Garza (2-4), Allyson Rodriguez (1-3, HR, RBI), Dariann Smith (2-2, 3B) and Alyssa Berlanga (0-2, RBI); McLennan: Kaelin Morkisch (1-3, 2 RBI), Arianna Perales (1-4, 2B, RBI), Sophie Wideman (2-3, 2 HR, 2 RBI), Emeri Eubanks (3-4, 2B, RBI), Kaitlin Richards (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Olivia Lantigua (2-2, RBI), Rebeca Fajardo (2-4, RBI), Lindy Alexander (01-, RBI) and Brooke Arnold (1-1, 3B, RBI). Record: McLennan 23-14 (14-5).
