The McLennan Highlanders picked up a pair of wins over the Hutchinson Blue Dragons this afternoon at Bosque River Ballpark.
Will Carsten pitched a one-hit 8-0 shutout in game one to get the win on the mound.
McLennan scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Marquis Jackson led off with a triple, Ty Johnson was hit by the pitch and Hunter Grimes walked to load the bases. Jackson scored on a sacrifice fly by Cole Fontenelle. Johnson then scored on a wild pitch.
The Highlanders' final six runs came in the second inning. Katcher Halligan walked, Elijah Rodriguez was bit by the pitch and Jackson walked, loading the bases. Johnson also walked, bringing Halligan in to score. Grimes followed with a double to score Rodriguez and Jackson. Fontenelle walked and Johnson scored on a wild pitch. Grimes scored on a ground out by Daniel Altman. Hank Bard then doubled to score Fontenelle.
McLennan took game two 5-2 with Nick Greaney getting the win on the mound.
Hutchinson scored one run in the top of the third. Jack Torosian was hit by the pitch and Ben McLaughlin singled. Torosian then scored on a single by Jon Jenkins.
The Highlanders tied the game with a run in the bottom of the third as Ravaughn Morgan tripled and scored on a ground out by John Ceccoli.
The Blue Dragons scored a run in the fifth to take the lead. Kael Babin walked, stole second and advanced to third on a ground out b Hunter Gotreaux. Babin then scored on a passed ball.
McLennan sealed the win with four runs in the eighth. Ceccoli singled but was out at second on a fielder's choice by Izzy Lopez. Grimes walked and Johnson singled, loading the bases. Fontenelle followed with a grand slam over the left-field fence.
The two teams will complete the series with a single game Monday at Bosque River Ballpark.
McLennan 8, Hutchinson 0
Hutchinson 000 000 0 – 0 1 0
McLennan 260 000 x – 8 3 1
Jackson Blue, Ryan Schlotzhauer (2), Michael Uhler (3) and Cade Baker. Will Carsten and Hank Bard. WP: Carsten; LP: Blue. Leading hitter – McLennan: Marquis Jackson (1-3, 3B), Ty Johnson (0-1, RBI), Hunter Grimes (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI), Cole Fontenelle (0-1, RBI), Daniel Altman (0-3, RBI) and Hank Bard (1-3, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 8-5-1.
McLennan 5, Hutchinson 2
Hutchinson 001 010 000 – 2 5 0
McLennan 001 000 04x – 5 7 1
Jack Whitlock, Chase Torkelson (7) and Kael Bebee. Wyatt Cheney, Nick Greaney (6) and Will Glatch. WP: Greaney; LP: Whitlock. Leading hitters – Hutchinson: Jon Jenkins (1-4, RBI); McLennan: Ty Johnson (2-4), Cole Fontenelle (2-3, HR, 4 RBI), Ravaughn Morgan (1-3, 3B) and John Ceccoli (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 9-5-1.
