Highlanders sweep Coastal Bend
The McLennan Highlanders swept the Coastal Bend Cougars at Bosque River Ballpark.
The Highlanders defeated the Cougars 7-1 in the first game of the day with Nathan Bertness getting the win on the mound.
McLennan scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning. Tucker Johnson reached first safely and moved to second on a Cougar error. Dimas Ojeda, James Rudkin and Kirby McGuire all walked, bringing Johnson in to score. Brandon Grudzielanek singled to score Ojeda and Rudkin. McGuire then scored on a sacrifice fly by Braxton Wilks. Noah McGowan reached first and moved to second on a pair of Cougar errors, bringing Grudzielanek in to score. Mason George followed with a double to score McGowan.
The Highlanders added one run in the fourth as Johnson doubled and scored on a single by Rudkin.
Coastal Bend's only run came in the top of the seventh as Brandon Cantu singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved to third on a groundout by Rayce Gatlin and scored on a single by Trey Gallegos.
McLennan shut out the Cougars 8-0 in the nightcap with Chris Glover getting the win.
The Highlanders scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Grudzielanek singled and Ojeda was hit by the pitch. Both runners advanced on a groundout by Rudkin. McGuire then tripled to score Grudzielanek and Ojeda.
McLennan added four runs in the second. Brady Sullivan reached first safely on a Coastal Bend error and scored on a double by Jon Tauzin. Sydney Daley drew a walk and Fox singled. Tauzin, Daley and Fox all scored on a single by Ojeda.
The Highlanders scored one run in the fifth as Rudkin singled, advanced to second on another Cougar error, moved to third on a groundout by McGuire and scored on a single by Braxton Hollenshead.
McLennan's final run came in the bottom of the sixth as Daley singled, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a single by Fox.
"As always, pitching plays such a key role in winning and losing. Today, we were blessed to have two really quality starts out of Nathan Bertness and Chris Glover," coach Mitch Thompson said. "It was great to see both those guys throw the ball like they are capable. We only gave up one run today, and that came with two outs in the last inning of game one. I am very pleased with how we pitched the ball today.
"We have had such a difficult time with the weather not allowing us to get out on our field and work consistently. Today was just what the doctor ordered. It was really nice to see the sun and have a dry field to play on."
McLennan 7, Coastal Bend 1
Coastal Bend 000 000 1 – 1 8 3
McLennan 006 100 x – 7 9 1
Andrew Soto, Chris Solano (3), Norman Medina (6) and Henry Hausman. Nathan Bertness, Jamie Andriot (7) and Mason George. WP: Bertness; LP: Soto. Leading hitters – Coastal Bend: Rayce Gatlin (2-4), Trey Gallegos (2-4, RBI) and Josh Cruz (2-3); McLennan: Tucker Johnson (1-3, 2B), Dimas Ojeda (1-2, 2B), James Rudkin (1-2, RBI), Kirby McGuire (0-2, RBI), Brandon Grudzielanek (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Braxton Wilks (RBI) and Mason George (3-3, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 11-8 (1-3).
McLennan 8, Coastal Bend 0
Coastal Bend 000 000 000 – 0 5 5
McLennan 240 011 00x – 8 10 0
Clark, Rex Hoyt (6), Thomas Silva (6), Zach Pusley (6), Alec Swofford (8) and John Ramirez. Chris Glover, Daniel Bullard (7), Jerry Murillo (8), Jordan Mattlage (9) and Jon Tauzin, J.T. Stevenson (7). WP: Glover; LP: Clark. Leading hitters – Coastal Bend: Rayce Gatlin (2-2) and Brandon Cantu (2-3); McLennan: Will Fox (2-5, RBI), Dimas Ojeda (1-3, 3 RBI), Kirby McGuire (1-3, 3B, 2 RBI), Braxton Hollenshead (1-4, RBI) and Jon Tauzin (1-3, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 12-8 (1-3).