The McLennan Highlanders picked up a pair of run-rule wins over the Vernon today at Bosque River Ballpark to complete the four-game conference sweep of the Chaparrals.
McLennan got the 10-0 run-rule victory in game one. Brady Rose picked up the win on the mound, allowing just one hit while striking out six in five innings of work.
The Highlanders erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the second inning. Dominic Tamez and Marquis Jackson both singled and scored on a double by Chase Brown. Jaylen Williams drew a walk and a sacrifice bunt by Izzy Lopez put both runners in scoring position. Brown scored on a single by Santos, and Williams scored on balk. Garrett Martin then singled to score Santos. Mason Greer followed with a two-run homer.
McLennan added a run in the fourth as Martin walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Marquis Jackson.
The Highlanders sealed the run rule with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Richard Brinson walked and stole second. Lopez reached on an error and Brinson came in to score on a passed ball. Santos then doubled to score Lopez for the walk-off win.
McLennan took game two 12-2 in five innings with Will Carsten getting the win on the mound.
Vernon began the scoring with a run top of the first as Brandon Concannon doubled and scored on a single by Jaquavius Davis.
McLennan took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Santos doubled and scored on a triple by Martin. Martin then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tamez.
The Highlanders added a run in the second as Bard singled, moved to second on a balk, and scored on a single by Williams.
Three more McLennan runs scored in the third. Blake Jackson singled and scored on a double by Tamez. Tamez advanced to third on a fly out by Greer and scored on a Vernon error that put Brown on first. Bard singled, moving Brown to third. Brown then stole home.
Vernon's final run came in the top of the fourth as Zak Betancourt doubled and scored on a single by Reece Burke.
The Highlanders added two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Williams and Lopez both singled, and Santos walked to load the bases. Williams scored on a fielder's choice by Blake Jackson, and Lopez scored on sacrifice fly by Martin.
McLennan sealed its second run-rule win of the day with four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Bard was hit by the pitch. Richard Brinson and Lopez both walked to load the bases. Brinson scored on a ground out by Santos. Blake Jackson then singled to score Brinson and Lopez. Martin walked and both runners advanced on a balk. Jackson then scored on a passed ball to end the game.
The Highlanders host Blinn at 2 p.m. Monday in a non-conference matchup.
McLennan 10, Vernon 0
Vernon 000 00 – 0 1 1
McLennan 070 12 – 10 10 1
Colten Panaranto, Gareth Tobias and Jhonmy Martinez. Brady Rose and Dominic Tamez. WP: Rose; LP: Panaranto. Leading hitters – McLennan: Miguel Santos (2-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Garrett Martin (2-2, 3B, RBI), Mason Greer (1-3, HR, 2 RBI), Dominic Tamez (2-2, 2B), Marquis Jackson (2-3, RBI) and Chase Brown (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI). Record: McLennan 27-16 (16-7).
McLennan 12, Vernon 2
Vernon 100 10 – 2 6 3
McLennan 213 24 – 12 11 0
Sutton Tidwell, Nicholas Wilson (4), Foster Kreuzer (5) and Jared Baehr. Will Carsten and Dominic Tamez. WP: Carsten; LP: Tidwell. Leading hitters – Vernon: Brandon Concannon (2-3, 2B), Jaquavius Davis (1-2, RBI), Zak Betancourt (1-2, 2B) and Reece Burke (1-2, RBI); McLennan: Miguel Santos (1-3, 2B, RBI), Blake Jackson (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI), Garrett Martin (1-2, 3B, 2 RBI), Dominic Tamez (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI) and Jaylen Williams (2-2, RBI). Record: McLennan 28-16 (17-7).
