Highlanders sweep North Central
The McLennan Highlanders swept the North Central Lions on Friday at Bosque River Ballpark.
The Highlanders scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat the Lions 6-5 in game one with Zach Kornely picking up the win. Kirby McGuire was hot at the plate, going 4-4 with a double. Dimas Ojeda recorded a double and picked up three RBIs. Brandon Grudzielanek was 2-3 with an RBI and Tucker Johnson recorded an RBI.
Chris Glover picked up the 9-3 win for the Highlanders in the nightcap. McGuire went 3-4 at the plate and recorded an RBI. James Rudkin was 3-4 with a double and two RBIs. Grudzielanek went 2-4 with an RBI and Johnson recorded an RBI. Noah McGowan hit a double and picked up an RBI.
"I'm really proud of our guys for sweeping the doubleheader today," coach Mitch Thompson said. "They showed a lot of toughness, coming back to win game one with a walk off and then following it up with a convincing win in the nightcap.
"We got good starting pitching from both Nathan Bertness and Glover, and our bullpen was equally as impressive. Kornely, Jerry Murillo and Jako Kelm — all three threw well.
"McGuire continues to lead us at the plate and in the field, playing well both on offense and defense. He plays extremely hard and is a lot of fun to watch.
"We will take the rest of the weekend off to celebrate the holiday with our families and get back after it on Monday to prepare for our home matchup with nationally ranked Weatherford College."
McLennan returns to action on Wednesday, hosting No. 1 Weatherford for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
McLennan 6, North Central 5
North Central 100 040 0 – 5 9 3
McLennan 301 000 2 – 6 11 3
Hayden Hibler, Eduardo Jimenez (7), Peydon Vasquez (7) and Josh Reeves. Nathan Bertness, Zach Kornely (7) and Mason George. WP: Kornely; LP: Jimenez. Leading hitters – North Central: Christian Quiones (3-4, RBI), Hunter Henderson (1-3, RBI), Slayton Vaughan (1-4, 2 RBI) and Kyle Bottger (2-4, 2B, RBI); McLennan: Kirby McGuire (4-4, 2B), Dimas Ojeda (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI), Brandon Grudzielanek (2-3, RBI) and Tucker Johnson (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 18-13 (7-6).
McLennan 9, North Central 3
North Central 000 002 010 – 3 10 1
McLennan 010 034 01x – 9 13 1
Jake Stroder, Evan Eubanks (6), Cade Killingsworth (6), Dillon Popp (7) and Matt Heck. Chris Glover, Jerry Murillo (7), Jako Kelm (9) and Jon Tauzin. WP: Glover; LP: Stroder. Leading hitters – North Central: Austin Ingraham (2-2, 2B), Jose Perez (2-4, 2 RBI) and Hunter Henderson (2-4, 2B, RBI); McLennan: Kirby McGuire (3-4, RBI), James Rudkin (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Brandon Grudzielanek (2-4, RBI), Tucker Johnson (0-3, RBI) and Noah McGowan (1-4, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 19-13 (8-6).
