The McLennan Highlanders and No. 10 Grayson Vikings split today's conference doubleheader Bosque River Ballpark.
The Highlanders defeated the Vikings 6-1 in the opening game with Gray Harrison getting the win on the mound.
Grayson's only run came in the top of the first. Blake Rambusch singled and advanced to second on a McLennan error. Stacy Bailey singled and Yanluis Ortiz walked, loading the bases. Rambusch then scored on a passed ball.
McLennan took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second. Alex Lopez led off with a solo home run. Ben Rosengard then singled, stole second and scored on a single by Jaylen Williams.
The Highlanders added a run in the third with Garrett Martin's home run.
Another Highlander run scored in the fourth as Dominic Tamez doubled, advanced to third on a ground out by Hank Bard and scored on ground out by Rosengard.
Back-to-back home runs by Miguel Santos and Mason Greer in the sixth rounded out the scoring.
Grayson defeated McLennan 20-11 in 10 innings of game two with Jared Matheson taking the loss on the mound.
McLennan began the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first. Martin singled and Lopez drew a walk. Tamez singled to score Martin, and Rosengard singled to score Lopez.
The Vikings took the lead with five run in the top of the second. Jesse Pierce doubled and advanced to third on a passed ball. Nick Vernars walked and Will Quillen singled, scoring Pierce. Hunter Watson singled to score Vernars, and Quillen scored on a single by Davis Powell. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Isaac Webb then singled to score Watson and Powell.
The Highlanders added two runs in the third to tie the game at five. Greer and Tamez both singled and Rosengard was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Wyatt Childress walked to score Greer. Williams then reached on an error, allowing Tamez and Rosengard.
Grayson took the lead with four runs in the fourth. Powell singled but was out at second on fielder's choice by Webb. Wade Elliott reached on an error, bringing Webb in to score. Rambusch singled to score Elliott. Ortiz singled, and Pierce reached on an error allowing Rambusch and Ortiz to score.
McLennan added three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Santos singled and scored on a triple by Greer. Martin followed with a double to score Greer. Martin then advanced to third on a fly out by Lopez and scored on a single by Tamez.
The Vikings added a run in the fifth. Watson doubled and Powell singled. Webb followed with a single to score Watson.
The Highlanders also added a run in the fifth. Williams walked, moved around to third on a pair of wild pitches. Greer walked and Martin was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Lopez then walked to score Williams.
McLennan tied the game with a run in the sixth. Rosengard walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Childress walked and Richard Brinson was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Rosengard then scored on a ground out by Santos.
The Highlanders took the lead with a run in the bottom of the seventh as Lopez led off with a double and scored on a single by Tamez.
Grayson scored a run in the top of the ninth to tie the game again. Powell singled and Webb doubled. Powell then scored on a ground out by Elliott.
The Vikings scored nine runs in the top of the 10th inning to seal the win. Pierce and Luke Finn both walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Quillen was given the intentional walk to load the bases. Cade Webber walked to score Pierce, and Powell walked to score Finn. Webb followed with a single to score Quillen and Webber, and Elliott singled to score Powell. Rambusch followed with a triple to score Webb and Elliott. A ground out by Ortiz brought Rambusch in to score. Pierce followed with a solo home run.
McLennan and Grayson will complete the four-game series with a noon doubleheader Saturday in Sherman.
McLennan 6, Grayson 1
Grayson 100 000 0 – 1 6 0
McLennan 021 120 x – 6 8 1
Shay Hartis, Will Duncan (5) and Yanluis Ortiz. Logan Henderson, Gray Harrison (5) and Dominic Tamez. WP: Harrison; LP: Hartis. Leading hitters – Grayson: Hunter Watson (2-3); McLennan: Miguel Santos (1-3, HR, RBI), Mason Greer (1-3, HR, RBI), Garrett Martin (1-3, HR, RBI), Alex Lopez (1-3, HR, RBI), Dominic Tamez (1-3, 2B), Ben Rosengard (2-3, RBI) and Jaylen Williams (1-2, RBI). Record: McLennan 11-10 (4-1).
Grayson 20, McLennan 11
Grayson 050 410 001 9 – 20 19 2
McLennan 203 311 100 0 – 11 11 5
Ryan Free, Dax Dathe (4), Clayton Broeder (6), Brock Taylor (7) and Yanluis Ortiz. Riggs Threadgill, Jack Hattrup (2), Jack Williams (5), Landry Williams (8), Jared Matheson (10), Bryson Weeks (10) and Wyatt Childress. WP: Taylor; LP: Matheson. Leading hitters – Grayson: Isaac Webb (4-7, 2B, 5 RBI), Wade Elliott (1-6, 3 RBI), Blake Rambusch (3-7, 3B, 3 RBI), Yanluis Ortiz (2-6, RBI), Jesse Pierce (2-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), Will Quillen (1-6, RBI), Hunter Watson (2-3, 2B, RBI), Davis Powell (4-5, 2 RBI) and Cade Webber (0-2, RBI); McLennan: Miguel Santos (1-6, RBI), Mason Greer (2-5, 3B, RBI), Garrett Martin (2-5, 2B, RBI), Alex Lopez (1-4, 2B, RBI), Dominic Tamez (5-6, 3 RBI), Ben Rosengard (1-4, RBI), Wyatt Childress (0-3, RBI) and Jaylen Williams (0-4, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 11-11 (4-2).
