McLennan Highlanders fall to Navarro in opener

The third-ranked McLennan Highlanders fell to the Navarro Bulldogs 7-3 this afternoon in the season opener at Bosque River Ballpark.
 
McLennan scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Ty Johnson and Chase Brown both singled, and Katcher Halligan walked to load the bases. Johnson scored on a wild pitch, and Brown scored on a single by Cole Dillon.
 
Navarro took the lead with three runs in the fourth. Jake Simpson walked but was out at second on fielder's choice by Austin Eaton. Matt Houston singled and Braden Gostisha reached on an error, bringing Eaton in to score. Wesley Jordan followed with a two-run homer.
 
Three more Bulldog runs scored in the fifth. Marco Villanueva singled and scored on Caden Koerbacher's home run. Eaton and Houston both singled. Eaton then scored on a single by Gostisha.
 
Navarro's final run came on Jack Opoien's home run in top of the sixth.
 
McLennan rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the ninth as Ravaughn Morgan doubled and scored on a double by Johnson.
 
The Highlanders and Bulldogs will complete the three-game series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Sunday at Bosque River Ballpark.
 
Navarro 7, McLennan 3
Navarro 000 331 000 – 7 11 0
McLennan 2000 000 001 – 3 7 1
Anthony Garcia, Caden Greanead (5), Brett Tanksley (9) and Caden Koerbacher. Will Clements, Blake Hansen (4), Jackson Mayo (6), Cooper Hrbacek (9) and Cole Dillon. WP: Garcia; LP: Hansen. Leading hitters – Navarro: Austin Eaton (3-4), Matt Houston (2-4), Braden Gostisha (1-4, RBI), Wesley Jordan (1-4, HR, 2 RBI), Jack Opoien (1-4, HR, RBI), Marco Villanueva (2-4) and Caden Koerbacher (1-3, HR, 2 RBI); McLennan: Ty Johnson (3-5, 2B, RBI), Cole Dillon (1-3, RBI), Karson Krowka (1-4, 2B) and Ravaughn Morgan (!-4, 2B). Record: McLennan 0-1; Navarro (1-0).