Highlanders come from behind to complete series sweep of Howard

The McLennan Highlanders made a great comeback this afternoon to defeat the Howard Hawks 6-5 and complete the three-game series sweep. Sophomore Payton Strambler picked up the win on the mound.
 
Howard jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the third inning. Seth Ochoa and Ben McClain both walked. Diego Ramirez followed with a single to score Ochoa. McClain and Ramirez both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Lance Russell. Brandon Pimentel followed with a single to score McClain, and Ramirez scored on a double by Nick Jodway.
 
The Hawks added another run in the seventh. McClain walked and advanced to second on an overthrow. Ramirez followed with a single to score McClain.
 
McLennan scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Howard lead in half. Spencer Wionzek and Jordan Yeatts was hit by the pitch. Cole Moore followed with a single to score Wionzek, and Yeatts scored on a single by Thomas Santos.
 
Howard scored another run in the eighth as Pimentel walked and scored on a double by Trace Bucey.
 
The Highlanders tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the ninth. Yeatts singled, Brooks Embry doubled and Moore walked to load the bases. Matthew Miles replaced Moore as the runner at first. Yeatts scored on a wild pitch, and Embry scored on a ground out by Garrett Martin. Miles then came in to score on a sacrifice fly by Santos.
 
A walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th sealed the win for the Highlanders. Aidan Shepardson singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Vince Ippoliti. Yeatts followed with the game-winning single to score Shepardson.
 
McLennan hosts New Mexico for a noon doubleheader Friday at Bosque River Ballpark.
 
McLennan 6, Howard 5
Howard 003 000 110 0 – 5 6 0
McLennan 000 000 203 1 – 6 9 1
Taylor Pendley, Jeffrey Zack (4), Max Gehler (6), Spencer Oliver (7), Noah Miller (8), Nick Jodway (9), David Bates (9), Angel Cespedes (10), John Carols Ariza (10) and Raul Ortega. Grant Miller, Tanner Brooks (3), Brett Williams (5), Brant Bennett (7), Payton Strambler (8) and Ryan Bishop, Vince Ippoliti (7). WP: Strambler; LP: Angel Cespedes. Leading hitters – Howard: Diego Ramirez (2-5, 2 RBI), Lance Russell (1-4, 2B), Brandon Pimentel (1-4, RBI), Nick Jodway (1-4, 2B, RBI) and Trace Bucey (1-3, 2B, RBI); McLennan: Jordan Yeatts (3-4, RBI), Brooks Embry (1-3, 2B), Cole Moore (1-4, RBI), Garrett Martin (0-4, RBI), Thomas Santos (2-3, 2 RBI) and Aidan Shepardson (2-4, 2B). Record: McLennan 14-4.