Highlanders sweep Cisco on the road
The McLennan Highlanders completed the four-game series sweep of Cisco with a pair of wins on the road. With the wins, McLennan's record improves to 34-7 overall and 19-1 in conference play.
McLennan took Sunday's game one 15-12 with Trevor Munsch getting the win and Jack Driskell picking up the save.
Cisco jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Bryce Holmes was safe on an error, moved to second on an overthrow and scored on a double by Bryson Hill. Christian Smith drew a walk, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Budke. Zach Sweet followed with a triple to score Hill and Smith. Sweet then came in to score.
The Wranglers added a run in the second as Holmes doubled and scored on a triple by Smith.
McLennan took the lead with six runs in the top of the third. Jalen Battles was hit by the pitch and Cole Moore walked. Garrett Martin followed with a single to score Battles. Brett Squires then doubled to score Moore and Martin. Brooks Embry walked and Aidan Shepardson singled, bringing Squires in to score. A fielder's choice by Jaylen Williams put Embry out at third. Ryan Bishop walked and Jordan Yeatts singled to score Shepardson and Williams.
Cisco scored two in the bottom of the third to retake the lead. Cam Haller was hit by the pitch and Lukas Polanco followed with a two-run homer.
Another two Wrangler runs scored in the fourth. Hill walked, moved to second on a sacrifice by Smith and scored on a double by Budke. Sweet singled and Jacob Wyeth was hit by the pitch. Budke then scored on a fielder's choice by Haller.
The Highlanders took the lead for good with six more runs in the fifth. Williams walked and Bishop singled. Yeatts followed with a single to score Williams. Battles drew a walk to load the bases. Moore followed with a single to score Bishop and Yeatts. Martin reached safely on an error, allowing Battles to score, and Moore scored on a passed ball. Shepardson then singled to score Martin.
Three more McLennan runs crossed the plate in the sixth. Bishop and Battles both singled, and Martin walked to load the bases. Squires, Embry and Shepardson all walked, bringing Bishop, Battles and Martin all in to score.
Cisco rounded out the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Wyeth doubled, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a single by Haller. Polanco followed with another two-run homer.
Sunday's second game was suspended due to darkness at the end of the sixth inning with the Highlanders leading the Wranglers 8-6. The two teams completed the game Monday afternoon with McLennan walking away with the 10-7 victory.
McLennan will host Grayson in a JUCO Top-20 matchup Wednesday at Bosque River Ballpark. The conference doubleheader will get underway at 1 p.m.
McLennan 15, Cisco 12
McLennan 006 063 0 – 15 13 1
Cisco 412 203 0 – 12 15 1
Payton Strambler, Trevor Munsch (3), Jack Driskell (5) and Ryan Bishop. Austin Buley, Josh LaPierre (3), Dan Nelson (3), Dominic Tardif (5), Taylor Munkres (5), Bryce Whiteley (6), Tyler Seymore (6), Willie Burke (6) and Jacob Wyeth. WP: Munsch; LP: Nelson; SV: Driskell. Leading hitters – McLennan: Jordan Yeatts (2-6, 3 RBI), Cole Moore (2-4, 2 RBI), Garrett Martin (2-4, RBI), Brett Squires (1-3, 2B, 3 RBI), Brooks Embry (0-3, RBI), Aidan Shepardson (2-4, 3 RBI) and Ryan Bishop (2-3); Cisco: Bryce Holmes (1-4, 2B), Bryson Hill (1-4, 2B, RBI), Christian Smith (1-3, 3B, RBI), Daniel Budke (3-4, 2B, RBI), Zach Sweet (4-5, 3B, 2 RBI), Jacob Wyeth (1-4, 2B), Cam Haller (1-2, 2 RBI) and Lukas Polanco (2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI). Record: McLennan 33-7 (18-1).