The McLennan Highlanders and North Central Lions split today's conference doubleheader in Gainesville.
McLennan took game one 5-1 with Tanner Brooks getting the win on the mound.
North Central's only run came in the bottom of the third. Clay Stevens was hit by the pitch and stole second. Colby Seltzer then doubled to score Stevens.
McLennan tied the game with a run in the fifth as Jimmy Crooks doubled, moved to third on a ground out by Hank Bard and scored on a triple by Miguel Santos.
The Highlanders took the lead with three runs in the sixth. Caleb Balgaard was hit by the pitch and Brett Squires drew a walk. Garrett Martin followed with a three-run homer.
McLennan rounded out the scoring with a run in the top of the seventh as Bard tripled and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Seth Morrow.
North Central bounced back to defeat McLennan 4-3 in the nightcap with Mason Hilton getting the loss on the mound.
The Lions scored a run in the bottom of the fourth. Stevens was hit by the pitch and stole second. Josh Blankenship then singled to score Stevens.
North Central added two runs in the seventh. Blankenship doubled and Nixon Brannon walked. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Rance Rosas and scored on a McLennan error.
The Lions final run came in the bottom of the eighth as Kaddin Mikulik singled and scored on a single by Blankenship.
McLennan made a comeback, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth. Bard and Balgaard both singled, and Squires drew a walk to load the bases. Martin followed with a single to score Band and Balgaard. Santos walked to reload the bases. Squires then scored on a sacrifice fly by Crooks.
The Highlanders return to action Monday, hosting Panola for a single, nine-inning game at 2 p.m.
McLennan 5, North Central 1
McLennan 000 013 1 – 5 6 2
North Central 001 000 0 – 1 2 0
Tanner Brooks, Brady Rose (7) and Jimmy Crooks. Rhett Kouba and Nixon Brannon. WP: Brooks; LP: Kouba. Leading hitters – McLennan: Garrett Martin (1-3, HR, 3 RBI), Miguel Santos (2-3, 3B, RBI), Jimmy Crooks (1-3, 2B), Hank Bard (1-3, 3B) and Seth Morrow (0-2, RBI); North Central: Colby Seltzer (1-2, 2B, RBI). Record: McLennan 16-4 (3-0).
North Central 4, McLennan 3
McLennan 000 000 003 – 3 4 1
North Central 000 100 21x – 4 4 0
Mason Hilton, Kevin Skeweres (8) and Heath Pickhardt. Jarod Seals, Morris Austin (9) and Nixon Brannon. WP: Seals; LP: Hilton. Leading hitters – McLennan: Garrett Martin (1-4, 2 RBI), Jimmy Crooks (0-3, RBI) and Hank Bard (1-1); North Central: Josh Blankenship (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 16-5 (3-1).
