The McLennan Highlanders swept this afternoon's doubleheader with the North Central Lions at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan got the 16-6 run-rule victory in game one with Gray Harrison getting the win on the mound.
The Highlanders jumped out early, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first. Miguel Santos singled and scored on Blake Jackson's home run. Garrett Martin was hit by the pitch and scored on a single by Mason Greer. Dominic Tamez singled and Alex Lopez singled to score Greer. Jaylen Williams drew a walk, and Izzy Lopez singled to score Tamez and Alex Lopez.
Two more Highlander runs scored in the second. Jackson walked and Martin doubled. Jackson scored on a ground out by Greer, and Martin scored on a sacrifice fly by Tamez.
All six of North Central's runs came in the top of the third. Vic Molina walked and Rance Rosas singled. Chase Cromer then single to score Molina. Nixon Brannan followed with a three-run homer. Anderson Acinger then walked and scored on Robert Serfass' home run.
McLennan responded with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. Marquis Jackson and Williams both walked and scored on an Izzy Lopez home run. Santos single and Blake Jackson walked. Martin singled to score Santos, and Blake Jackson scored on a North Central error. Tamez tripled to score Martin, and Tamez scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex Lopez.
The Highlanders sealed the run rule with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Blake Jackson walked but was out at second on a fielder's choice by Martin. Martin then moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Tamez to end the game.
McLennan held off a late North Central rally to take game two 7-3 with Will Carsten getting the win and Jack Williams getting the save.
The Highlanders scored three runs in the third. Santos singled and scored on a double by Blake Jackson. Martin followed with a two-run homer.
Three more McLennan runs scored in the fourth. Jaylen Williams walked, stole second and move to third on a North Central error. Santos followed with a single to scored Williams, and Blake Jackson tripled to score Santos. A sacrifice fly by Martin brought Jackson in to score.
The Highlanders' final run came in the bottom of the seventh. Martin walked and Greer singled. Tamez then singled to score Martin.
North Central scored three runs in the top of the ninth. Cromer and Brannan both singled. Cromer scored on a McLennan error, and Acinger doubled to score Brannan. Kalen Clark reached first safely on an error, and Zane Bandfield singled to score Acinger.
McLennan will host Temple for a noon doubleheader Thursday at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan 16, North Central 6
North Central 006 00 – 6 6 1
McLennan 620 71 – 16 12 0
David Johnson, Ulsis Tovar (4), Trenton Smith (4) and Nixon Brannan. Brady Rose, Gray Harrison (4) and Dominic Tamez. WP: Harrison; LP: Johnson. Leading hitters – North Central: Chase Cromer (1-3, RBI), Nixon Brannan (1-3, HR, 3 RBI) and Robert Serfass (1-3, HR, 2 RBI); McLennan: Blake Jackson (1-1, HR, 2 RBI), Garrett Martin (2-3, 2B, RBI), Mason Greer (1-4, 2 RBI), Dominic Tamez (2-3, 3B, 3 RBI), Alex Lopez (1-2, 2 RBI) and Izzy Lopez (2-3, HR, 5 RBI). Record: McLennan 32-16 (20-7).
McLennan 7, North Central 3
North Central 000 000 003 – 3 5 2
McLennan 003 300 10x – 7 10 3
Dawson Beard, Bryson Morrill (4), Joe Amador (8) and Zane Bandfield. Will Carsten, Riggs Threadgill (6), Landry Wideman (9), Jack Williams (9) and Wyatt Childress. WP: Carsten; LP: Beard; SV: Williams. Leading hitters – North Central: Anderson Acinger (1-4, 2B, RBI) and Zane Banfield (1-4, RBI); McLennan: Miguel Santos (2-4, 2B, RBI), Blake Jackson (2-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), Garrett Martin (1-1, HR, 3 RBI), Dominic Tamez (3-4, RBI) and Izzy Lopez (1-4, 2B). Record: McLennan 33-16 (21-7).
