Highlanders wallop Wharton
The McLennan Highlanders defeated the Wharton Pioneers 12-2 Monday afternoon at Bosque River Ballpark in the final tuneup before the beginning of conference play March 8. Michael Cugini picked up the win on the mound.
Wharton got on the board with a run in the top of the first as Enrique Sanchez was hit by the pitch and came around to score on back-to-back singles by Monty Maley and Tyler Kimball.
McLennan tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first as Chris Roller drew a lead-off walk, stole his way around to third and scored on a fielder's choice by Josh Breaux.
The Highlanders took the lead with two runs in the second. George Callil tripled and scored on a single by Roller. Joe Breaux then tripled to score Roller.
McLennan increased their lead with four runs in the fifth. Joe Breaux singled and advanced around to third on an error. Josh Breaux then doubled to score Joe. Griffin Paxton followed with a single to score Josh. Paxton then scored on a home run by Chase Sortor.
Three more Highlander runs crossed the plate in the sixth. Callil singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Roller and Joe Breaux walked to load the bases. Jackson Nichols also walked bringing Callil in to score. Roller scored on a fielder's choice by Josh Breaux. Joe Breaux then scored on a passed ball.
The Pioneers' final run came in the top of the seventh. Collier Rutledge was safe on an error and Branson Audette singled. Rutledge then scored on a McLennan error.
McLennan rounded out the scoring with two runs in the eighth. Griffin Williams singled and Joe Breaux doubled. Williams scored on a sacrifice fly by Nichols and Joe Breaux scored on a single by Paxton.
McLennan 12, Wharton 2
Wharton 100 000 100 – 2 7 2
McLennan 120 043 02x –12 11 1
Brandon Johnson, Kyle Smith (2), Garrett Park (3), Kyle Gruller (4), Jaron Roblyer (5), Daniel Hecker (6), Ian Nash (7), Brandon Bolt (7) and Brandon Upton. Jason Blanchard, Colton Bailey (3), Michael Cugini (4), Coleman Beazley (6), Brady Childress (7), Josh Breaux (8), Connor Heffron (9) and Nic Motley, Jackson Nichols (7). WP: Cugini; LP: Smith. Leading hitters – Wharton: Tyler Kimball (2-4, RBI); McLennan: Chris Roller (1-2, RBI), Joe Breaux (3-3, 2B, 3B, RBI), Jackson Nichols (0-1, 2 RBI), Josh Breaux (1-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Griffin Paxton (2-5, 2 RBI), Chase Sortor (1-2, HR, 2 RBI) and George Callil (2-4, 3B). Record: McLennan 15-3.