Highlanders, Lions split

The McLennan Highlanders and North Central Lions split Wednesday's conference doubleheader in Gainesville.

North Central came from behind to win game one 7-6 with Dustin Jourdan taking the loss on the mound.

The Highlanders got on the board with one run in the top of the first as Will Fox singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a single by Dimas Ojeda.

McLennan added another run in the second as Braxton Wilks doubled, moved to third on a groundout by Noah McGowan and scored on a double by Mason George.

The Lions scored one run in the third as Garret Easton singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a single by Austin Ingraham.

North Central took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Ethan Davis was hit by the pitch. Josh Reeves followed with a fielder's choice, putting Davis out at second. Easton then drew a walk. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Ingraham.

McLennan regained the lead with three runs in the fifth. With two outs already on the board, Ojeda doubled. James Rudkin singled and moved to second on an overthrow, bringing Ojeda in to score. Tucker Johnson drew a walk. Brandon Grudzielanek singled to score Rudkin and Johnson scored on a single by Wilks.

The Lions scored one run in the sixth as Easton doubled and advanced to third on an error. Ingraham walked and Christian Quiones reached on an error to load the bases. Jose Perez was then hit by the pitch, bringing Easton in to score.

North Central's Slayton Vaughan doubled and came around to score on a Highlander error in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game and force extra innings.

The Highlanders took the lead with one run in the top of the ninth as Fox walked, advanced to second on a passed ball, moved to third on a sacrifice by Kirby and scored on a single by Ojeda.

The Lions sealed the win with two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Nathan Colon and Matt Heck both singled. Tanner Luna was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Kyle Bottger then singled to score Colon and Heck.

McLennan bounced back to defeat North Central 4-3 in the nightcap with Reece Calvert getting the complete-game win.

The Highlanders scored two runs in the third. Jon Tauzin led off with a double. Fox was safe at first on a Lion error, bringing Tauzin in to score. McGuire then tripled to score Fox.

The Lions scored one run in the bottom of the third as Heck singled, advanced to second on an error and scored on a single by Quinoes.

McLennan added two runs in the fourth. Grudzielanek and Wilks singled. McGowan was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Tauzin drew a walk, bringing Grudzielanek in to score. Wilks then scored on a single by Fox.

North Central rounded out the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Easton and Ingraham both singled. Quiones followed with a single, scoring Easton. Hunter Henderson then singled to score Ingraham.

"Playing doubleheaders every time you play can sure make it hard to enjoy game day," coach Mitch Thoompson said. "We had a chance to win both of these games. Although I am disappointed we didn't win the first game, I am very proud of our guys for bouncing back, overcoming some adversity and winning game two.

"For the most part we pitched well today with our starters both competing hard. Collin Sharp was very good in game one and Reece Calvert was outstanding in the second game. Both of these guys have shown some serious improvement over the last couple of weeks.

"Our conference is very competitive. Each and every game is important. I hope we can learn from today's experiences and finish games off when we have a chance to win them."

The two teams will complete the four-game series with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Friday at Bosque River Ballpark.

North Central 7, McLennan 6
McLennan 110 030 001 – 6 11 3
North Central 001 201 102 – 7 11 2
Collin Sharp, Dimas Ojeda (6), Dustin Jourdan (8) and Mason George. Kadon Simmons, Cade Killingsworth (5), Peydon Vasquez (7), Eduardo Jimenez (9) and Josh Reeves. WP: Jimenez; LP: Jourdan. Leading hitters – McLennan: Dimas Ojeda (3-5, 2B, RBI), James Rudkin (1-4, RBI), Brandon Grudzielanek (1-4, RBI), Braxton Wilks (3-4, 2 2B, RBI) and 
Mason George (2-4, 2B, RBI); North Central: Austin Ingraham (3-3, 2B, 3 RBI), Slayton Vaughan (1-4, 2B), Kyle Bottger (1-5, 2 RBI) and Garrett Easton (2-3, 2B). Record: McLennan 16-13 (5-8).

McLennan 4, North Central 3
McLennan 002 200 0 – 4 7 1
North Central 001 000 2 – 3 10 3
Reece Calvert and Jon Tauzin. Matt Michalski, Ross Scott (7) and Matt Heck. WP: Calvert; LP: Michalski. Leading hitters – McLennan: Will Fox (1-3, RBI), Kirby McGuire (1-4, 3B, RBI), Jon Tauzin (1-2, 2B, RBI) and Brandon Grudzielanek (2-3); North Central: Christian Quiones (3-4, 2 RBI), Hunter Henderson (1-4, RBI) and Jared McCarver (2-3). Record: McLennan 17-13 (6-8).