The No. 10 McLennan Highlanders and No. 11 Weatherford Coyotes split today's conference doubleheader in Weatherford.
The Coyotes came from behind to defeat the Highlanders 3-1 in game one with Alex DeLeon taking the loss on the mound for McLennan.
The Highlanders' run came in the top of the first inning as Jordan Yeatts drew a lead-off walk, advanced around to third on a single by Jalen Battles and scored on a passed ball.
Weatherford scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to steal the win. Hunter Rosson and J.T. Thompson both singled. Both runners scored on a double by Ty Bowring. Connor Emmet then singled to score Bowring.
McLennan bounced back to get the 14-0 run-rule victory in game two with Jase Embry picking up the shutout on the mound.
The Highlanders scored three runs in the top of the second inning. Garrett Martin singled and Cole Moore walked. Brooks Embry followed with a fielder's choice putting Martin out at third. Brett Squires followed with a double to score Moore, and Embry scored on a ground out by Aidan Shepardson. Squires then scored on a Weatherford error.
Five Highlanders scored in the top of the third. Ryan Neitsch singled, and Battles was safe at first and advanced to second on another Weatherford error. Martin singled to score Neitsch, and Battles scored on a single by Moore. Embry bunted to load the bases. A pair of sacrifice flies by Squires and Shepardson brought Martin and Moore in to score. Embry then scored on a single by Vince Ippoliti.
Squires added a run with a solo shot in the fifth.
McLennan secured the run rule with five runs in the top of the sixth inning. Ippoliti and Yeatts both singled, and Neitsch walked to load the bases. A fielder's choice by Battles put Ippoliti out at the plate. Martin walked to score Yeatts, and Neitsch scored as Moore was hit by the pitch. Embry then singled to score Battles and Martin, and Moore scored on a single by Squires.
McLennan and Weatherford are scheduled to complete the four-game series with a noon doubleheader Saturday at Bosque River Ballpark.
Weatherford 3, McLennan 1
McLennan 100 000 0 – 1 4 1
Weatherford 000 003 x – 3 7 0
Alex DeLeon and Ryan Bishop. Carlos Tavera and Cam Ehringer. WP: Tavera; LP: DeLeon. Leading hitters – McLennan: Jalen Battles (2-3); Weatherford: Cole Johnson (2-3, 2B), J.T. Thompson (2-3, 2B), Ty Bowring (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI) and Connor Emmet (1-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 14-7 (0-1).
McLennan 14, Weatherford 0
McLennan 035 015 – 14 13 0
Weatherford 000 000 – 0 2 2
Jase Embry, Max Mize (6) and Vince Ippoliti. Bryson Hudgens, Kyle Warden (3), Connor Mushinski (6), Ryan Firestone (6) and Cam Ehringer. WP: Embry; LP: Hudgens. Leading hitters – McLennan: Ryan Neitsch (2-3), Garrett Martin (2-3, 2 RBI), Cole Moore (1-2, 2 RBI), Brooks Embry (2-4, 2 RBI), Brett Squires (3-3, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Aidan Shepardson (0-3, 2 RBI) and Vince Ippoliti (2-4, RBI). Record: McLennan 15-7 (1-1).
