McLennan defeats Blinn in non-conference play
The McLennan Highlanders defeated the Blinn Buccaneers 11-6 this afternoon in a non-conference battle at Bosque River Ballpark. Riggs Threadgill picked up the win on the mound for the Highlanders.
Blinn began the scoring with two runs in the top of the first. Garrison Weiss hit a solo home run. Ben Hovda then singled, moved to second on a single by Kam Kelton and scored on a ground out by Tyler Russell.
McLennan got on the board with Garrett Martin's home run in the bottom of the first.
The Buccaneers added a run with Brandon Williams' home run in the second.
Another Blinn run scored in the fourth. Caleb Schultz was safe on a dropped third strike and Williams doubled. Schultz then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jett Garcia.
The Highlanders tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Dominic Tamez and Alex Lopez both singled. Hank Bard reached on an error, bringing Tamez in to score. Nick Pierce also reached on an error, scoring Alex Lopez. Izzy Lopez then grounded out to score Bard.
McLennan took the lead with two runs in the fifth. Martin singled to lead off the inning. Tamez walked and Alex Lopez singled to load the bases. Bard drew a walk, bringing Tamez in to score. Izzy Lopez then walked to score Tamez.
Four more McLennan runs scored in the sixth. Blake Jackson singled, Martin was hit by the pitch and Tamez walked to load the bases. Jackson scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Lopez. Bard followed with a three-run homer.
The Highlanders' final run came in the bottom of the eighth as Mason Greer reached on an error, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a double by Bard.
Blinn rounded out the scoring with two runs in the top of the ninth. Callum Burton walked and Graden Emmons singled. Cole Smajstrla walked to load the bases. Burton scored on a passed ball and Emmons scored on a wild pitch.
McLennan returns to conference play Wednesday, traveling to Gainesville for a noon doubleheader at North Central.
McLennan 11, Blinn 6
Blinn 210 100 002 – 6 8 2
McLennan 100 324 01x – 11 12 1
Jace Hutchins, Blaine Romero (5), Kirkland Michaux (7), Grayson Smith (8) and Dalton Stevenson, Tyler Burg (6). Jack Williams, Logan Freeman (2), Gray Harrison (3), Kevin Skeweres (4), Riggs Threadgill (5), Wilson Hicks (7), Landon Dorman (8), Jared Matheson (9), Landry Wideman (9) and Hank Bard. WP: Threadgill; LP: Hutchins. Leading hitters – Blinn: Garrison Weiss (1-4, HR, RBI), Ben Hovda (2-3), Kam Kelton (2-3), Tyler Russell (0-3, RBI), Jett Garcia (0-1, RBI) and Brandon Williams (2-3, 2B, HR, RBI); McLennan: Miguel Santos (1-6, 2B), Blake Jackson (2-4, 2B), Garrett Martin (2-3, HR, RBI), Alex Lopez (2-3, RBI), Hank Bard (2-4, 2B, HR, 6 RBI), Nick Pierce (0-2, RBI) and Izzy Lopez (0-4, RBI). Record: McLennan 29-16 (17-7).