Highlanders drop series to Midland

The McLennan Highlanders dropped all three games of their weekend series in Midland.

On Friday, the Highlanders fell to the Chaparrals 11-4 in the first game of the series. Jack Finnegan took the loss on the mound for the Highlanders.

Will Fox's double was the only extra base hit for McLennan. Dimas Ojeda and Brandon Grudzielanek both went 3-5 at the plate, while Kirby McGuire was 3-4. Fox, Ojeda, McGuire and Tucker Johnson all recorded an RBI.

The McLennan Highlanders dropped both games of Saturday's doubleheader.

Nathan Bertness took the 9-2 loss on the mound in game one. Kirby McGuire hit a home run and recorded two RBIs. James Rudkin went 2-4 at the plate.

The Highlanders fell 14-13 in the nightcap with Collin Sharp taking the loss. Rudkin went 2-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Tucker Jonson and McGuire both hit a double, and McGuire had three RBIs. Brandon Grudzielanek and Jerry Murillo picked up two RBIs each. Noah McGowan, Creighton Eldridge and Jon Tauzin each had an RBI.

"We have to give Midland credit this weekend. They just flat out beat us," coach Mitch Thompson said. "Their hitters were hooked up all weekend and they out played us. I am disappointed in our performance, but I know that these games will make us better at the end of the year. We have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get better."

McLennan returns to action on Tuesday, hosting Angelina for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Midland 11, McLennan 4

McLennan 000 030 010 – 4 11 1
Midland 521 020 01x – 11 21 1
Jack Finnegan, Corey Watkins (4), Zachary Kornely (7) and J.T. Stevenson. Daniel Crooks, Jesse Borden (7) and Bryndan Arrendondo. WP: Crooks; LP: Finnegan. Leading hitters – McLennan: Will Fox (1-5, 2B, RBI), Tucker Johnson (1-3, RBI), Dimas Ojeda (3-5, RBI), Brandon Grudzielanek (3-5) and Kirby McGuire (3-4, RBI); Midland: Blaine Prescott (3-6, RBI), Justin Clarkson (2-4, 3B), Gilbert Sanchez (2-5, RBI), Bryndan Arrendondo (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Antonio Reyes (3-5, 2B, RBI), Yahir Gurrola (2-4, RBI), Chris Thibdeau (4-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) and Josh Narvaiz (2-5, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 5-2.  

Midland 9, McLennan 2
McLennan 000 101 0 – 2 6 1
Midland 000 333 x – 9 12 1
Nathan Bertness, Cole Ridgely (5) and Mason George. Shane Browning, Dustin Angiel (7) and Bryndan Arrendondo. Leading hitters – McLennan: James Rudkin (2-4) and Kirby McGuire (1-2, HR, 2 RBI; Midland: Blaine Prescott (4-4), Gilbert Sanchez (2-4, 2B, HR, 6 RB) and Antonio Reyes (1-2, HR, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 5-3.

Midland 14, McLennan 13
McLennan 213 330 001 – 13 16 1
Midland 130 127 00x – 14 23 1
Chris Glover, Jako Kelm (4), Collin Sharp (6), Dimas Ojeda (6), Dustin Jourdan (8) and Jon Tauzin. Brett Hinson, Dustin Angiel (1), Tucker Davidson (3), Justin Conway (4), Sebastian Palacios (4) and Tony Beam. WP: Palacios; LP: Sharp. Leading hitters – McLennan: Tucker Johnson (3-5, 2B), Brandon Grudzielanek (2-6, 2 RBI), James Rudkin (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Jerry Murillo (2-5, 2 RBI), Kirby McGuire (3-6, 2B, 3 RBI), Noah McGowan (1-4, RBI), Creighton Eldridge (0-4, RBI) and Jon Tauzin (1-3, RBI); Midland: Justin Clarkson (3-6, HR, 3 RBI), Gilbert Sanchez (0-5, RBI), Chirstian Whigham (3-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Cody Bower (3-5, 3B, 2 RBI), Tony Beam (3-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Josh Narvaiz (3-5, 2 RBI), Cade Davis (1-1, RBI) and Yahir Gurrola (2-3, 2B). Record: McLennan 5-4.