McLennan defeats Midland to keep regional tournament run going
The No. 13 McLennan Highlanders kept their run through the Region V Tournament alive with a 7-2 victory over the Midland Chaparrals Sunday night. Freshman Daniel Cole picked up the win on the mound for the Highlanders, recording 10 strikeouts and allowing just three hits in six innings of work. Sophomore Brady Childress picked up the save.
McLennan began the scoring with two runs in the top of the second inning. Thomas Santos and Griffin Paxton both walked. Nick Thornquist followed with a single to score Santos. Paxton then moved to third on a wild pitch, and George Callil drew a walk. Dylan Neuse followed with a fielder's choice, scoring Paxton.
The Highlanders added a run in the fifth as Aidan Shepardson walked, moved around to third on a single by Josh Breaux and scored on a sacrifice fly by Keaton Milford.
Two more Highlanders runs scored in the top of the seventh as Milford walked and scored on Santos' monster home run to left field.
Both of Midland's runs came in the bottom of the seventh. Frainyer Chavez led off with a single. Cade Bullinger and Benton Rogers both walked to load the bases. Riley King also walked, bringing Chavez in to score. Bullinger then scored on a wild pitch.
McLennan's final two runs came in the top of the ninth. Breaux doubled and Milford singled. Santos followed with a sacrifice fly to scored Breaux. Thornquist then reached first safely and moved to second on an error, allowing Milford to score.
McLennan 7, Midland 2
McLennan 020 010 202 – 7 7 0
Midland 000 000 200 – 2 5 1
Daniel Cole, Connor Heffron (7), Brady Childress (7) and Nick Thornquist. Aaron Weseman, Carson Bailey (2), Hutton Frazier (7), Justin Lewis (7), Cade Bullinger (9) and Garrett Wilkinson. WP: Cole; LP: Weseman; SV: Childress. Leading hitters – McLennan: Dylan Neuse (0-4, RBI), Josh Breaux (2-4, 2 2B), Keaton Milford (1-3, RBI), Thomas Santos (1-2, HR, 3 RBI) and Nick Thornquist (2-5, 2B, RBI); Midland: Jordan Billups (2-4), Garrett Wilkinson (2-4) and Riley King (0-2, RBI). McLennan 43-15 (26-7).