Highlanders dominate Apaches
The sixth-ranked McLennan Highlanders picked up an 11-3 non-conference road win over the Tyler Apaches today in Tyler.
McLennan put four on the board in the top of the first. Cole Dillon singled and Ty Johnson doubled. Britton Moore was safe on a dropped third strike, scoring Dillon, and Johnson scored on a wild pitch. Aidan Kuni walked, and Katcher Halligan followed with a double to score Moore and Kuni.
The Highlanders added a run in the second. Jake D'Altrui was hit by the pitch and advanced on a sac bunt by Elijah Rodriguez. Dillon followed with a double to score D'Altrui.
Tyler's first run came in the bottom of the third as Caden Queck was hit by the pitch and scored on a double by Will Bush.
Another Highlander runner scored in the fourth as Rodriguez walked, stole his way around to third and scored on a ground out by Dillon.
Two Apache runs scored in the bottom of the fourth. Nicholas Anderson doubled and Ryan Walker walked. Anderson scored on a ground out by Jaron Lyness, and Walker scored on a single by Thomas Soto.
Three more McLennan runs scored in the sixth. Brodey Williams walked and Johnson singled. Blake Hansen singled to score Williams, and Kuni followed with a double to score Johnson and Hansen.
The Highlanders tacked on another run in the eighth. Chase Brown had a pinch-hit double and advanced to third on an error. Brown then scored on a ground out by Kuni.
The final McLennan run came in the top of the ninth. Sam Flores and Johnson both walked and stole a base. Flores then scored on a sacrifice fly by Xander McAfee
McLennan 11, Tyler 3
McLennan 410 103 011 – 11 9 2
Tyler 001 200 000 – 3 5 3
Grant Fontenot, Jake Smith (4), Roman Tolbert (5), Henry Cone (8), Wyatt Wiatrek (9) and Cole Dillon, Brodey Williams (4), Jason Hawkins (8). Brayden Hodges, Douglas Bauer (3), Steele Bardwell (5), Aden Lucas (6), Cade Wallace (8), Reid Trimble and Will Bush. WP: Fontenot; LP: Hodges. Leading hitters – McLennan: Cole Dillon (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Blake Hansen (1-3, RBI), Ty Johnson (2-5, 2B), Britton Moore (0-4, RBI), Xander McAfee (0-1. RBI), Aidan Kuni (2-3, 2B, 3 RBI), Chase Brown (1-2,2B) and Katcher Halligan (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI); Tyler: Thomas Soto (1-2, RBI), Will Bush (1-4, 2B, RBI) and Nicholas Anderson (1-4, 2B). Record: McLennan 17-7 (2-2).