Highlanders hammer Howard

The No. 6 McLennan Highlanders run-ruled the Howard Hawks 10-2 Friday night in the opening round of the Region V Tournament at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park on the campus of Texas Tech University. Bailey Horn picked up the win on the mound for the Highlanders.

Howard began the scoring with a run in the top of the second as Mason Peterson singled and scored on a double by Reese O'Farrell.

McLennan took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. George Callil and Chris Roller both walked and advanced on a ground out by Joe Breaux. Nic Motley followed with a single to score Callil, and Roller scored on a single by Brendan Venter.

The Highlanders added four runs in the fifth. Motley was hit by the pitch, Josh Breaux walked and Venter singled to load the bases. Cole Haring followed with a double to score all three runners. Mario Vela followed with a fielder's choice, putting Haring out at third. Vela advanced on a wild pitch and Callil was safe at first on an error, bringing Vela around to score.

The Hawks' final run came in the top of the seventh. Robert Bullard walked and Caleb Kyle was hit by the pitch. Doug Facendo then singled to score Bullard.

McLennan sealed the run-rule victory with four runs in the bottom of the seventh. Haring walked and Chase Sortor singled. Vela was safe at first on a misplayed bunt, bringing Haring in to score. Roller then singled to score Sortor and Vela. Joe Breaux followed with a double to score Roller and end the game.

McLennan 10, Howard 2
Howard 010 000 1 – 2 5 2
McLennan 002 040 4 – 10 10 0
Brandon Young, Parker Towns (5), Tristan Toms (7), Brock Figueroa (7) and Reese O'Farrell. Bailey Horn, Kyrell Miller (7) and Josh Breaux. WP: Horn; LP: Young. Leading hitters – Howard: Trey Ochoa (1-3, 2B), Doug Facendo (2-3, RBI) and Reese O'Farrell (1-3, 2B, RBI); McLennan: Chris Roller (1-2, 2 RBI), Joe Breaux (2-4, 2B, RBI), Nic Motley (1-3, RBI), Brendan Venter (2-4, RBI) and Cole Haring (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI). Record: McLennan 46-10 (26-6).