Highlanders crush Chaps

The McLennan Highlanders and Midland Chaparrals opened a three-game series this evening in Midland and it's the Highlanders coming away with a 20-6 win. Max Mize picked up the win on the mound in relief of starting pitcher Rene Ramos.
 
McLennan began the scoring with a run in the top of the second as Thomas Santos walked, moved to second on a single by Garrett Martin, advanced to third on Ryan Bishop's walk and scored on Brooks Embry's walk.
 
Midland took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second. Ethan Mann singled and scored on a homer by Jordan Billups. Fernie Zubia singled, Will Harrison walked and Tristan Martinez was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Mason Weathers also walked, bringing Zubia in to score.
 
The Highlanders took the 5-3 lead with four runs in the top of the third. Aidan Shepardson drew a walk and scored on a homer by Santos. Brett Squires also walked and scored on a homer by Garrett Martin.
 
The Chaps added a run with Mann's home run in the third.
 
McLennan scored a run in the fifth as Santos walked, stole second and scored on a single by Squires.
 
Two more Highlander runs scored in the sixth inning as Shepardson reached on an error and scored on a Cole Moore's home run.
 
McLennan tacked on three runs in the eighth. Embry singled and scored on a double by Jalen Battles. Shepardson singled, and Battles scored on a sacrifice fly by Moore.
 
The Highlanders exploded for nine runs in the top of the final inning. Ryan Bishop was hit by pitch to lead off the inning. Embry and Battles both walked to load the bases. Shepardson followed with a single to score Bishop and Embry. Moore walked and Battles scored on a wild pitch. Shepardson came in to score on a passed ball, and Moore scored on a fly out by Santos. Squires walked and Spencer Wionzek was hit by the pitch. Jaylen Williams followed with a fielder's choice, putting Squires out at third. Bishop walked and Embry doubled to score Wionzek and Williams. Battles then doubled to score Bishop and Embry.
 
Odessa rounded out the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the ninth as Deyland Pigford singled and scored on a Garrett Wilkinson home run.
 
"It was obviously a good day for the Highlanders. I'm really, really proud of Max Mize and the effort he gave us out of the bullpen; he was just outstanding," head coach Mitch Thompson said." He went from three innings, to four innings, to five innings, to six innings, and finished it up with seven innings of relief without really over extending too far. I was really proud of the way he handled himself and the way he competed for us today."
 
"The wind was blowing out and Mize gave us stability on the mound and let us make some plays on defense. Then our bats came alive. I like the aggressiveness of the way we swung the bat today. We got some balls in the air and hit some balls really hard. So, it was an overall good day."
 
"We will have to respond again in the morning and show back up tomorrow and try to get a couple more. Today was sure a lot of fun."
 
McLennan 20, Midland 6
McLennan 014 012 039 – 20 12 1
Odessa 031 000 002 – 6 10 2
Rene Ramos, Max Mize (3) and Ryan Bishop. WP: Mize. Leading hitters – McLennan: Jalen Battles (2-6, 2 2B, 3 RBI), Aidan Shepardson (3-6, 2 RBI), Cole Moore (1-4, HR, 3 RBI), Thomas Santos (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Brett Squires (1-3, RBI), Garrett Martin (2-4, HR, 3 RBI) and Brooks Embry (2-3, 2B, 3 RBI); Odessa: Mason Weathers (1-4, 2B, RBI), Garrett Wilkinson (1-5, HR, 2 RBI), Ethan Mann (2-4, HR, RBI) and Jordan Billups (3-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 3-2.