#17 Highlanders win series opener over #12 Midland

The #17 McLennan Highlanders opened the three-game regional series with the #12 Midland Chaparrals with a 4-2 victory in Midland. Kadyn Leon picked up the win on the mound in relief of starter Isaac Godard, and Cade Waibel got the save.
 
McLennan scored two in the first. Sherman Johnson led off with a single but was out on  fielder's choice by Spencer Butt. Marcus Smith followed with a double, scoring Butt. Smith moved to third on a ground out by Daniel Harden and scored on a single by Deiten Lachance.
 
The Highlanders doubled their lead with two runs in the second. Brody Chyr doubled and AJ Goytia walked, both advancing on a ground out by Cage McCloud. Johnson grounded out to score Chyr, and Goytia scored on a single by Butt.
 
Midland's two runs came in the fifth. Hudson Grace doubled and advanced to third on a ground out by Dylon Myrow. Jorge Gil walked, and both runners scored on a Highlander error.
 
The series continues with a 1 p.m. game Friday in Midland
 
McLennan 4, Midland 2
McLennan 220 000 000 – 4 8 1
Midland 000 020 000 – 2 6 0
Isaac Godard, Kadyn Leon (3), Cade Waibel (8) and Deiten Lachance. Jacob Kuhn, Jacob Morgan (7) and Colin Fisher. WP: Leon; LP: Kuhn; SV: Waibel. Leading hitters – McLennan: Sherman Johnson (1-5, RBI), Spencer Butt (1-3, RBI), Marcus Smith (2-4, 2 2B, RBI), Deiten Lachance (1-4, RBI), Brody Chyr (2-3, 2B) and Cage McCloud (1-4, 2B); Midland: Hudson Grace (1-4, 2B) and Colin Fisher (3-4, 2B). Record: McLennan 41-16 (23-9).