Highlanders hammer Howard
The No. 4 McLennan Highlanders picked up 1 15-7 run-rule win over the Howard Hawks on the opening day of the Region V Tournament in Midland. Nick Greaney picked up the win on the mound for the Highlanders.
McLennan began the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Hunter Grimes led off with a single and Cole Fontenelle drew a walk. Cole Dillon singled to score Grimes, and Daniel Altman was hit by the pitch. Chase Brown followed with a double to score Fontenelle and Dillon.
The Highlanders added two runs in the second as Marquis Jackson walked and scored on a two-run shot by Grimes.
Howard took the lead with six runs in the top of the third. Julia Vasquez and Lee Matsuzaki both singled. Matsuzaki was picked off at second. Austin Douglas and Hunter Simmons both walked, loading the bases. Alejandro Rosado also walked, bringing Vasquez in to score. Aaron Manias then doubled to score Douglas and Simmons. Kennan Spence followed with a three-run homer.
Three more McLennan runs scored in the third to put the Highlanders back on top. Hank Bard and Izzy Lopez both walked. Jackson singled to score Bard, and Lopez was picked off at second. Grimes followed with another two-run homer.
The Hawks final run came in the top of the fourth as Matsuzaki singled, stole second, moved to third on a fly out by Douglas and scored on a ground out by Simmons.
The Highlanders added a run in the fifth. Bard walked, Lopez singled and Jackson was hit by the pitch, loading the bases. Bard was out at the plate on fielder's choice by Grimes. Lopez then scored on a sacrifice fly by Ty Johnson.
McLennan sealed the run rule with six runs in the bottom of the sixth. Dillon walked, Altman singled and Elijah Rodriguez walked to load the bases. Bard singled to score Dillon. Lopez followed with a grand slam. Johnson singled and Fontenelle walked. Pinch hitter Katcher Halligan then singled to score Johnson.
McLennan will face Midland in a winner's bracket game Saturday at 5 p.m.
McLennan 15, Howard 7
Howard 006 100 0 – 7 10 0
McLennan 323 016 x – 15 13 0
Elijah Parks, Cole Bramhall (2), Luke Krkovski (4), Max Lankford (6) and Julia Vasquez. Will Carsten, Nick Greaney (4) and Hank Bard. WP: Greaney; LP: Bramhall. Leading hitters – Midland: Lee Matsuzaki (2-4), Hunter Simmons (2-3, RBI), Alejandro Rosado (0-3, RBI), Aaron Manias (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Kennan Spence (1-3, HR, 3 RBI) and CJ Difiglia (2-3); McLennan: Hunter Grimes (3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Ty Johnson (2-3, RBI), Cole Dillon (1-3, RBI), Katcher Halligan (1-3, RBI), Chase Brown (1-1, 2B, 2 RBI), Hank Bard (1-2, RBI), Izzy Lopez (2-3, 2B, GS, 4 RBI) and Marquis Jackson (1-2, RBI). Record: McLennan 44-10-1 (28-4).