The McLennan Highlanders and Temple Leopards their conference doubleheader in Temple.
The Leopards took game one 7-6 with Jack Finnegan taking the loss on the mound.
Temple began the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Carson Cox and Trey Silvers both singled. Logan Lyday walked to load the bases. Garrett Kizer then drew a walk, bringing Cox in to score. Justin Freeman followed with a fielder's choice to score Silvers.
McLennan tied the game with two runs in the top of the sixth. Noah McGowan led off with a solo home run. Mason George then singled, moved to second on a groundout by Will Fox, advanced to third on a fly out by Tucker Johnson and scored on a passed ball.
The Leopards took the lead with five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Freeman and Zach Silvers drew back-to-back walks. Austin Bishoff singled to load the bases. Jake Valadez followed with a single, scoring Freeman and Silvers. Valadez was replaced at first by pinch runner Chase Fontana. Valdez walked, loading the bases. Bishoff then came in to score on a wild pitch. Cox singled, bringing Fontana in to score. Trey Silvers then singled to score Valdez.
The Highlanders rounded out the scoring with four runs in the top of the seventh. Brandon Grudzielanek and Braxton Wilks singled. McGowan followed with a double to score Grudzielanek. Fox followed with a home run to clear the bases.
McLennan bounced back to defeat the Leopards 7-3 in the nightcap with Reece Calvert getting the win on the mound.
The Highlanders scored two runs in the fourth. Grudzielanek singled, stole second and moved to third on a groundout by Wilks. Jon Tauzin followed with a single, scoring Grudzielanek. Braxton Hollenshead was hit by the pitch. Johnson then singled to score Tauzin.
McLennan scored one run in the sixth as Wilks singled, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a groundout by Tauzin and scored on a wild pitch.
The Highlanders added another run in the seventh as Kirby McGuire singled, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a single by Grudzielanek.
All three of Temple's runs came in the bottom of the eighth. Trey Silvers and Chase Goldwater both singled. Kizer drew a walk, loading the bases. Ricky Ortiz followed with a fielder's choice, scoring Silvers and putting Goldwater out at third. Bishoff walked to load the bases again. Fontana also walked, bringing Kizer in to score. Ortiz then scored on a balk.
McLennan sealed the win with three runs in the top of the ninth. Fox led off with a triple. Rudkin followed with a double, scoring Fox. McGuire drew a walk. Rudkin and McGuire advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Grudzielanek. McGowan was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Rudkin scored on a passed ball that moved McGuire to third. McGuire then stole home.
"We have only been able to get out on the field twice in the last 12 days because of the poor weather. It was great to be on the field and to actually see the sunshine today," coach Mitch Thompson said.
"I'm disappointed we didn't sweep, but sweeping on the road is always difficult and we have to give Temple credit for battling hard and taking the first win.
"Calvert was outstanding today for us in the second game. His pitches were the best they have been so far this season and he really dominated for seven innings. Dimas Ojeda was also very good closing the game for us.
"Conference games are extremely important to win, so hopefully we can get some rest, play well and get two wins tomorrow."
Temple 7, McLennan 6
McLennan 000 002 4 – 6 10 1
Temple 000 205 x – 7 6 1
Jack Finnegan, Corey Watkins (6) and Mason George. Lane Hobbs, Josh Gray (6), Austin Smith (6), Josiah Chupik (7), Vincent Berrones (7) and Justin Freeman. WP: Chupik; LP: Finnegan. Leading hitters – McLennan: Will Fox (1-2, HR, 3 RBI), Dimas Ojeda (1-4, RBI), Kirby McGuire (2-2) and Noah McGowan (2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI); Temple: Carson Cox (2-3, RBI), Trey Silvers (2-3, RBI), Garrett Kizer (RBI), Justin Freeman (RBI) and Jake Valadez (1-1, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 9-6 (0-1).
McLennan 7, Temple 3
McLennan 000 201 103 – 7 8 1
Temple 000 000 030 – 3 6 0
Reece Calvert, Dustin Jourdan (8), Dimas Ojeda (8) and Jon Tauzin. Jake Valadez, William Rittenberry (6), Alec Sanchez (9), Josh Gray (9) and Jake Mihalski, Justin Freeman (9). WP: Calvert; LP: Valadez; Save: Ojeda. Leading hitters – McLennan: Tucker Johnson (1-4, RBI), Will Fox (1-3, 3B), James Rudkin (1-5, 2B, RBI), Brandon Grudzielanek (2-4, RBI) and Jon Tauzin (1-5, RBI); Temple: Matt Valdez (2-4), Chase Goldwater (2-5), Ricky Ortiz (RBI) and Chase Fontana (1-3, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 10-6 (1-0).
