The McLennan Highlanders swept the North Central Lions on the road Wednesday afternoon in Gainesville.
Bailey Horn picked up the complete game 6-1 win on the mound for the Highlanders in game one.
McLennan scored three runs in the top of the first. Chris Roller led off with a double and scored on a double by Joe Breaux. Breaux then scored on Brendan Venter's home run.
The Highlanders added two runs in the second. George Callil hit a solo home run. Joe Breaux then singled, moved to second on a single by Nic Motley and scored on a single by little brother Josh Breaux.
The final McLennan run of the game came in the fourth as Roller doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Joe Breaux.
North Central's run scored in the sixth as Coleman Grubbs doubled and scored on a McLennan error.
The Highlanders defeated the Lions 4-2 in the nightcap with Logan Freeman getting the win on the mound and Palmer Wenzel picking up the save.
McLennan began the scoring with two runs in the third as Cole Haring singled and scored on Nick Thornquist's home run.
The other two Highlander runs scored in the sixth as Thornquist and Venter each hit their second home run of the day.
Grubbs put the Lions on the board with a home run in the bottom of the sixth.
North Central rounded out the scoring with a run in the eighth as Devin Beard singled, moved around to third on back-to-back walks of Justin Garrett and Walker Davis, and scored on a wild pitch.
"Anytime you can get a doubleheader sweep on the road, you've got to be happy," head coach Mitch Thompson said. "Today was kind of a tough day to hit, so I'm proud of the way our hitters competed. We did end up hitting five balls out of the ballpark and outscored them 10-3 on the day."
"Offensively it was an ok day, but the thing that really stood out was our pitching and defense. We got great starting pitching from both Horn and Freeman. Both guys pounded the strike zone and attacked hitters with multiple pitches. Then, we had some really quality relief outings from Palmer Wenzel and Brady Childress. Childress was outstanding in game two, coming in there getting the strikeout in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded."
"The other thing that really stood out is just our defense. We are a very solid defensive ball club. We can catch it behind the plate; we can field ground balls; we can turn double plays; we can run balls down in the outfield. Our pitchers ought to have a great time playing and pitching with that kind of a defense behind them. I'm very impressed with our guys. They turned several double plays and, for the most part, made all the plays."
"The only thing that was kind of a downer was that we tried to do a little bit too much in a couple situations. We forced the issue a little bit, both offensively and on defense. We just need to play the game and let the game come to us, and be very confident in our abilities. We are better after being in these two games today. We had guys step up when they had opportunities. Thornquist coming in and catching a conference game, and hitting two home runs is something that is a testament to the depth of this ball club and a testament to the work ethic of our guys. I'm really proud that when they get the opportunity, they are prepared to step up, really contribute and make a difference. Thornquist did today, Childress did today, and there will be more on down the road."
The Highlanders and Lions will complete the series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan 6, North Central 1
McLennan 320 100 0 – 6 12 1
North Central 000 001 0 – 1 5 0
Bailey Horn and Josh Breaux. Ojani Chacon, Luis Ortega (5), Garrett Martin (6), Charles Hatcher (7) and Dalton Davies. WP: Horn; LP: Chacon. Leading hitters – McLennan: Chris Roller (2-4, 2 2B), Joe Breaux (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Josh Breaux (2-4, RBI), Brendan Venter (2-3, HR, 2 RBI), Brock Morrison (2-4) and George Callil (1-3, HR, RBI); North Central: Walker Davis (2-3) and Coleman Grubbs (1-2, 2B). Record: McLennan 37-7 (18-3).
McLennan 4, North Central 2
McLennan 002 002 000 – 4 5 1
North Central 000 001 010 – 2 6 1
Logan Freeman, Kyrell Miller (5), Brady Childress (8), Josh Breaux (9), Palmer Wenzel (9) and Nick Thornquist. Cesar Gomez, Luis Ortega (8), Parker Fanning (9) and Dalton Davies. WP: Freem
