The No. 5 McLennan Highlanders and the No. 6 Crowder Roughriders split this afternoon's doubleheader at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan dominated Crowder in the opener, getting an 11-1 run-rule victory in five innings. Riggs Threadgill picked up the win on the mound.
The Roughriders' only run came in the top of the first inning as Josh Patrick doubled and scored on a single by Peyton Holt.
The Highlanders responded with three runs in the bottom of the first. Miguel Santos led off with a single and moved around to third on a dropped third strike. Dominic Tamez singled to score Santos, and Alex Lopez followed with a two-run homer.
McLennan added two runs in the second. Blake Jackson doubled, advanced to third on a balk and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ben Rosengard. Santos then singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a triple by Mason Greer.
Four Highlander runs scored in third. Tamez, Hank Bard and Jackson all singled loading the bases. Nick Pierce reached on an error, bringing Tamez in to score. Bard scored on a passed ball, and Rosengard singled to load the bases again. Greer followed with a single to score Jackson and Pierce.
McLennan secured the run rule with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Jackson and Pierce both singled. Rosengard singled to score Jackson, and Pierce scored on a sacrifice fly by Santos.
Crowder came back to defeat the Highlanders 3-2 in game two with Will Carsten taking the loss on the mound for McLennan.
All three of the Roughriders runs came in the top of the third inning. Ian Ortiz drew a walk and Logan Chambers reached on an error. Patrick also drew a walk, loading the bases. Holt followed with a double to score all three runners.
The Highlanders first run came in the bottom of the third. Santos reached on an error and Greer singled. Garrett Martin followed with a fielder's choice and all runners were safe. Santos then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tamez.
McLennan rounded out the scoring with a run in the fifth as Santos tripled and scored on a passed ball.
McLennan 11, Crowder 1
Crowder 100 00 – 1 6 2
McLennan 324 02 – 11 15 1
Gage Singer, Aiden Smith (5) and Adam Stornello. Riggs Threadgill, Jack Hattrup (4) and Dominic Tamez. WP: Threadgill; LP: Singer. Leading hitters – Crowder: Josh Patrick (1-3, 2B), Peyton Holt (2-3, RBI), Rod Criss (1-1, 2B) and Adam Stornello (2-2); McLennan: Miguel Santos (2-3, RBI), Mason Greer (2-3, 3B, 3 RBI), Dominic Tamez (2-3, RBI), Alex Lopez (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Blake Jackson (3-3, 2B) Nick Pierce (1-3, RBI) and Ben Rosengard (2-2, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 6-3.
Crowder 3, McLennan 2
Crowder 003 000 000 – 3 5 1
McLennan 002 010 000 – 2 5 1
Dylan Carter, Cole Agemy, Breven Yarbro (9) and Chaz Poppy
Will Carsten, Logan Henderson (3), Gray Harrison (7), Brady Rose (8), Landry Wideman (9) and Wyatt Childress. WP: Carter, LP: Carsten. Leading hitters – Crowder: Josh Patrick (1-3, 2B), Peyton Holt (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI); McLennan: Miguel Santos (2-4, 3B) and Dominic Tamez (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 6-4.
