The McLennan Highlanders picked up a pair of one-run wins today at Bosque River Ballpark to complete the three-game sweep of the Western Texas Westerners.
McLennan took game one 3-2, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Trey Cehajic got the win on the mound in relief of starter Devin Bennett.
McLennan scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cole Dillon singled, and Elijah Rodriguez and Jason Hawkins both walked to load the bases. Ravaughn Morgan then singled to score Dillon and Rodriguez.
Western Texas tied the game with two runs in the sixth. Sebastian Huerta and Ryan Pruitt both singled. Elijah Batista followed with a double to score Huerta and Pruitt.
The Highlanders scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Dillon singled and was replace by Britton Moore as a pinch runner. Moore advanced to second on a sacrifice by Rodriguez. Morgan followed with a fielder's choice, and Blake Hansen was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Pinch hitter Aidan Kuni then drew a walk to score Moore and secure the win.
McLennan defeated the Westerners 2-1 in the nightcap with Connor Zaruba picking up the win.
McLennan began the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first. Ty Johnson drew a lead-off walk and stole second. Hawkins followed with a single. Chase Brown hit into a double play, allowing Johnson to score.
Western Texas tied the game with Dylen Wolfe's home run in the top of the fifth.
The Highlanders winning run came in the bottom of the sixth. Hawkins singled and was replaced by pinch runner Richard Brinson. Brinson advanced to second on a ground out by Dillon and score on a single by Morgan.
McLennan 3, Western Texas 2
Western Texas 000 002 000 – 2 3 0
McLennan 000 200 00 003 – 3 4 1
Adam Alexis, Daniel Collins (6), Ethan Jaques (9), Tanner Carter (9) and Sebastian Huerta. Devin Bennett, Trey Cehajic (6) and Cole Dillon. WP: Cehajic; LP: Carter. Leading hitters – Western Texas: Elijah Batista (1-4, 2B, 2 RBI); McLennan: Cole Dillon (2-4), Ravaughn Morgan (1-4, 2 RBI) and Aidan Kuni (0-0, RBI). Record: McLennan 7-2.
McLennan 2, Western Texas 1
Western Texas 000 010 0 – 1 3 1
McLennan 100 001 x – 2 5 0
Garrett Landry, Colton Clawson (6) and Ivan Marquez. Blake Hansen, Henry Cone (3), Connor Zaruba (5), Cooper Hrbacek (7) and Cole Dillon. WP: Zaruba; LP: Clawson. Leading hitters – Western Texas: Dylen Wolf (1-3, HR, RBI); McLennan: Jason Hawkins (2-2), Ravaughn Morgan (1-3, RBI) and Sam Flores (1-3, 2B). Record: McLennan 8-2.
Next up: McLennan hosts Iowa Western Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.