Highlanders mount comeback to defeat Navarro

The McLennan Highlanders came from behind to defeat the Navarro Bulldogs 7-6 this afternoon in the series opener in Corsicana. Grant Miller got the win on the mound for McLennan and Payton Strambler picked up the save.
 
Navarro scored two runs in the bottom of the second as Cash Rugely singled and scored on a home run by Jose Gonzalez Jr.
 
The Bulldogs extended their lead with three runs in the third. Rylie Lambert walked and stole second. Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo also walked, and Travis Washburn singled to load the bases. Kyle Landers walked to score Lambert, and Cash Rugely doubled to score Cardoza-Oquedo and Washburn.
 
McLennan got on the board with a run in the fourth as Ryan Neitsch doubled and scored on a single by Garrett Martin.
 
The Highlanders added another run in the fifth. Jordan Yeatts reached first safely on an error and moved around to third on a single by Jalen Battles. Yeatts then stole home.
 
Two McLennan runs in the top of the sixth cut the Navarro lead to one. Cole Moore walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a passed ball. Martin then singled to score Moore. Martin moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a triple by Brooks Embry.
 
The Highlanders tied the game with a run in the top of the seventh as Yeatts tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Battles.
 
Navarro took a one-run lead in the eighth as Cardoza-Oquendo was hit by the pitch, moved to second on an overthrow, and scored on a single by Landers.
 
McLennan sealed the win with two runs in the top of the ninth as Battles singled and scored on Santos' home run.
 
McLennan and Navarro will complete the three-game series with a noon doubleheader tomorrow at Bosque River Ballpark.
 
McLennan 7, Navarro 6
McLennan 000 112 102 – 7 9 1
Navarro 023 000 010 – 6 7 1
Mason Hilton, Max Mize (4), Grant Miller (8), Payton Strambler (9) and Ryan Bishop. Carson Rollins, Brady Mehl (6), Collin Storms (6), Pepper Jones (9) and Dawson Woods. WP: Miller; LP: Jones; SV: Strambler. Leading hitters – McLennan: Jalen Battles (2-4, RBI), Ryan Neitsch (1-3, 2B), Thomas Santos (2-4, HR, 2 RBI), Garrett Martin (2-5, 2 RBI), Brooks Embry (1-4, 3B) and Jordan Yeatts (1-4, 3B); Navarro: Kyle Landers (1-3, 2 RBI), Cash Rugely (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI), Jose Gonzalez Jr. (2-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Rylie Lamber (1-3, 2B). Record: McLennan 8-4.