Highlanders drop series to New Mexico

The McLennan Highlanders and New Mexico Thunderbirds split Friday's season-opening doubleheader in Hobbs, N.M.

McLennan took game one 14-6 with Sterling Wynn picking up the win on the mound. Max Hogan led the Highlanders at the plate, going 3-5 with a home run and an RBI. Mason George and Trevor Podsednik recorded two hits and three RBIs each. Matt Campbell, Zach Gonzalez and Andrew Rhodes all picked up an RBI. Gonzalez, Evan Williams and Miles Manning all recorded extra base hits.

New Mexico defeated McLennan 11-4 in the night cap with Matt Mundkowsky taking the loss. Campbell recorded a triple, a home run and three RBIs for the Highlanders. Hogan recorded a double and Garrett Wallace hit a triple. Sydney Daley picked up an RBI.

On Saturday, the Thunderbirds defeated the Highlanders 5-3 to claim the series victory.

Greg Maisto took the loss on the mound for McLennan. Evan Williams led the Highlanders at the plate, going 3-3 with a triple. Matt Campbell recorded a double and two RBIs. Max Hogan picked up an RBI.

McLennan returns to action on Friday, hosting Wharton for a noon doubleheader.

McLennan 14, New Mexico 6

McLennan 022 610 3 – 14 15

New Mexico 300 210 0 – 6 8

Sterling Wynn, Enrique Oquendo (5) and Mason George. Tyler Almager, Luke Papanicoula (4), Grant Phifer (5) and Clark Kahawaii. WP: Wynn; LP: Almager. Leading hitters – McLennan: Evan Williams (1-4, 2B), Matt Campbell (2-4, RBI), Max Hogan (3-5, HR, RBI), Zach Gonzalez (2-4, 2B, RBI), Andrew Rhodes (RBI), Trevor Podsednik (2-4, 3 RBI), Mason George (2-5, 3 RBI) and Miles Manning (2-3, 2B); New Mexico: Dalton Bowers (1-3, RBI), Preston Marsh (RBI), Alexis Torrez (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Jacy Cave (1-4, 2B), Braden Martin (2-2), Brandon Griger (RBI) and Austin Botello (RBI). Record: McLennan 1-0.

New Mexico 11, McLennan 4

McLennan 010 000 300 – 4 10 3

New Mexico 004 022 21x – 11 13 1

Matt Mundkowsky, Kody Hessemer (7) and Dalton Rodriguez, Zach Suarez (9). Mark Simon, Lance Cullum (6)  and Kholeton Sanchez. WP: Simon; LP: Mundkowsky. Leading hitters – McLennan: Matt Campbell (2-4, 3B, HR, 3 RBI), Max Hogan (2-5, 2B), Garrett Wallace (2-4, 3B) and Sydney Daley (RBI); New Mexico: A.J. Perez (3-5, 2B, HR, RBI), Preston Marsh (1-4, RBI),  Alexis Torrez (2-3, HR, 2 RBI), Jacy Cave (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Kholeton Sanchez (RBI), Braden Martin (2-4) and Austin Botello (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 1-1.

New Mexico 5, McLennan 3

McLennan 002 000 001 – 3 10 0

New Mexico 003 100 01x – 5 8 3

Greg Maisto, Patrick Herbelin (5) and Mason George. Jerrott Gray, Austin Botello (7), Isaac Lopez (8), Ernest Sandoval (9) and Trenton Rousseau, Kholeton Sanchez (9). WP: Gray; LP: Maisto. Leading hitters – McLennan: Matt Campbell (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Max Hogan (2-5, RBI) and Evan Williams (3-3, 3B); New Mexico: Dalton Bowers (RBI), A.J. Perez (1-5, RBI), Preston Marsh (3-3), Jacy Cave (1-4, 2 RBI), Braden Martin (2-3) and Brandon Griger (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 1-2.