The McLennan Highlanders swept today's doubleheader with the Angelina Roadrunners in Lufkin.
Reece Calvert picked up the 12-4 win on the mound for the Highlanders in game one.
McLennan began the scoring with five runs in the top of the first. Joe Breaux drew a lead-off walk and James Rudkin singled. Cory Voss followed with a home run to clear the bases. Brendan Venter was then hit by the pitch and scored on a Dimas Ojeda home run.
The Highlanders added a run in the second as Mario Vela doubled, moved to third on a single by Breaux and scored on a single by Rudkin.
McLennan extended the lead with two runs in the top of the third. Tucker Johnson doubled and scored on a double by Noah McGowan. McGowan then moved to third on a wild pitch and came in to score on a single by Breaux.
Angelina got on the board with Chris Estrada's solo home run in the bottom of the third.
The Roadrunners added three runs in the fourth. Cortland McPherson hit a home run. Jacob Finke then singled and scored on a home run by Ryan Bellamy.
The Highlanders rounded out the scoring with four runs in the fifth. Cole Haring singled and scored on a triple by Vela. Vela then scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Roller. Rudkin reached first safely on an Angelina error. Voss followed with a double to score Rudkin. Venter then doubled to score Voss.
McLennan defeated Angelina 5-3 in the nightcap with Michael Cugini getting the win and Paul Kirkpatrick picking up the save.
The Highlanders scored a run in the top of the second as Voss walked, moved to second on a ground out by Ojeda and scored on a single by Griffin Williams.
The Roadrunners tied the game with McPherson's home run in the bottom of the second.
Angelina took the lead with two runs in the third. C.J. Pye was safe at first on a Highlander error and Jared Velasco singled. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Newcomb and scored on a single by Estrada.
McLennan added a run in the sixth with Breaux's home run.
The Highlanders sealed the win with three runs in the eighth. McGowan was hit by the pitch, Breaux walked and Rudkin was hit by the pitch. Creighton Eldridge was brought in to pinch run for McGowan and scored on a sacrifice fly by Venter. Ojeda then doubled to score Breaux and Rudkin.
"Today's wins were two really good ones on the road. In game one, we came out and just pounded the baseball. It was just great to see us come out of the shoot," head coach Mitch Thompson said. "I was really proud of three different things in game one. No. 1 – we came out and scored five on them very early. No. 2 – when they cut the lead from 8-0 to 8-4 we responded and put another four runs on them. No. 3 – once we did that, Calvert was fantastic and just finished the game. He really took charge and was dominant to get the complete-game win."
"Game two was one where we had to fight. We made four outs on the bases offensively which was disappointing. Most of them were aggressive plays and you just have to roll with those punches. To come back and win and have Paul Kirkpatrick come back out and get the save was really good. Our bullpen was good; we played good defense and we had to battle through."
"We are obviously better off for having played in the games. They were very competitive and we are better after today's wins. It's good to get McGowan and Kirkpatrick back and be really able to contribute."
McLennan 12, Angelina 4
McLennan 512 040 0 – 12 17 0
Angelina 001 300 0 – 4 8 1
Reece Calvert and Cory Voss. Elijah Rodriguez, Grant Cox (3), Reid Garrett (5) and Mitchell Andrews. WP: Calvert; LP: Rodriguez. Leading hitters – McLennan: Joe Breaux (2-2, RBI), James Rudkin (3-5, RBI), Cory Voss (3-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Brendan Venter (2-4, 2B, RBI), Dimas Ojeda (1-5, HR, 2 RBI), Tucker Johnson (2-4, 2 2B), Noah McGowan (1-4, 2B, RBI), Mario Vela (2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI) and Chris Roller (0-1, RBI); Angelina: Daniel Lingua (2-4), Chris Estrada (1-4, HR, RBI), Cortland McPherson (1-3, HR, RBI), and Ryan Bellamy (2-3, HR, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 15-2.
McLennan 5, Angelina 3
McLennan 010 001 030 – 5 7 1
Angelina 012 000 000 – 3 9 0
Collin Sharp, Michael Cugini (7), Paul Kirkpatrick (8) and Nic Motley. Daniel Linguia, Kevin Roe (6), Carson Lance (8), Cody Cash (8), Baily Holstein (9) and C.J. Pye. WP: Cugini; LP: Lance; SV: Kirkpatrick. Leading hitters – McLennan: Joe Breaux (2-3, 3B, HR, RBI), Brendan Venter (0-2, RBI), Dimas Ojeda (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Griffin Williams (1-3, RBI); Angelina: Jared Velasco (2-2), Tyler Newcomb (2-4), Chris Estrada (2-4, 2 RBI) and Cortland McPherson (2-4, HR, RBI). Record: McLennan 16-2.
