No. 8 Highlanders complete sweep of Hutchinson
The No. 8 McLennan Highlanders came from behind to defeat Hutchinson 9-7 this afternoon to complete the three-game sweep of the Blue Dragons. Jared Matheson picked up the win on the mound for McLennan.
Hutchinson scored two runs in the top of the first as Jack Torosian singled and scored on Ben McLaughlin's home run.
The Blue Dragons added a run in the fourth as Sterling Sutcliffe walked and scored on a doubled by Cade Baker.
McLennan got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Ravaughn Morgan tripled and scored on a balk.
The Highlanders added another run in the fifth. Hank Bard led off with a double and advanced to third on a fly out by Rodric Black. Another Hutchinson balk brought Bard in to score.
Hutchinson scored four runs in the seventh. Bryce Logan singled and moved to second on a balk. Torosian doubled and McLaughlin doubled to score Logan and Torosian. Kael Babin bunted for a singled. An error brought McLaughlin in to score and put Babin on second. Babin then stole third and scored on a single by Booga de al Garza.
Another McLennan run scored in the seventh when Marquis Jackson tripled and scored on a wild pitch.
The Highlanders stole the win with six runs in the bottom of the eighth. Cole Dillon singled, and Bard and Mateo Zeppieri both walked to load the bases. Dillon scored on a line drive by Izzy Lopez. Jackson and Ty Johnson were both hit by the pitch, bringing Bard in to score. Zeppieri scored on a balk, and Hunter Grimes reached on an error, bringing Jackson in to score. Cole Fontenelle was given the intentional walk and Morgan singled to score Johnson and Grimes.
No. 8 McLennan hosts No. 19 New Mexico for a three-game series beginning Friday at Bosque River Ballpark. The Highlanders and Thunderbirds will play a single nine-inning game on Friday, followed by a noon doubleheader Saturday.
McLennan 9, Hutchinson 7
Hutchinson 200 100 400 – 7 10 0
McLennan 000 110 16x – 9 8 1
Ben Dandelet, Zane Covey (5), Kaden Wickerwham (7), Scott Reed (8), Keinan Lentell (8) and Cade Baker. Gray Harrison, Devin Bennett (4), Austin Ford (6), Jared Matheson (7) and Hank Bard. WP: Matheson; LP: Reed. Leading hitters – Hutchinson: Jack Torosian (2-5, 2B), Ben McLaughlin (3-5, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), Booga de la Garza (1-2, RBI) and Cade Baker (1-4, 2B, RBI); McLennan: Marquis Jackson (1-4, 3B), Ty Johnson (0-3, RBI), Hunter Grimes (0-4, RBI), Ravaughn Barnes (2-4, 3B, 2 RBI), Hank Bard (3-3, 2B) and Izzy Lopez (0-3, RBI). Record: McLennan 10-5-1.