Highlanders crush Ranger, pick up doubleheader sweep - KXXV Central Texas News Now

The McLennan Highlanders pounded the Ranger Rangers in today's conference doubleheader in Ranger.

Bailey Horn picked up the complete-game 14-3 victory for the Highlanders on the mound in game one.

McLennan began the scoring with three runs in the top of the first inning. Chris Roller led off with a solo home run on the first pitch of the game. Joe Breaux then drew a walk and scored on a home run by little brother Josh Breaux.

Ranger tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the first. Andruid Martinez hit a ground-rule double and Cayde Williams singled. Ryan Dufrene was safe on a McLennan error bringing Martinez in to score. Williams and Dufrene both scored on a double by Nolan Gazouski.

The Highlanders took control with six runs in the fourth inning. Cole Haring drew a walk, Mario Vela was safe on an error and George Callil was safe on a misplayed sacrifice hit. A Ranger error brought Haring in to score. Vela then scored on a fielder's choice by Roller and Joe Breaux was hit by the pitch. Callil scored on a wild pitch, Brendan Venter walked and Roller scored on a sacrifice fly by Josh Breaux. Venter and Joe Breaux both scored on a single by Nic Motley.

Three more Highlander runs scored in the sixth. Venter walked and scored on a double by Josh Breaux. Motley followed with the two-run homer.

The final two McLennan runs came in the top of the seventh. Josh Breaux doubled and scored on a single by Jackson Nichols. Nichols then advanced around to third on a single by Chase Sortor and scored on a wild pitch.

It was all McLennan in the night cap as the Highlanders shut out the Rangers 16-0. Kyrell Miller got the win on the mound and Nathan Gonzales picked up the save.

McLennan scored one run in the top of the first as Roller was hit by the pitch and scored on a single by Griffin Paxton.

The Highlanders exploded for five runs in the third. Callil and Roller both walked, and Paxton was hit by the pitch to load the bases. Motley followed with the grand slam. Joe Breaux then singled, stole second and scored on a ground-rule double by Brock Morrison.

Three more runs scored for the Highlanders in the fourth. Roller singled and Paxton walked. Roller then scored on a wild pitch and Venter hit a two-run homer.

McLennan continued to show their offensive prowess with six runs in the fifth inning. Griffin Williams and Callil both singled, and Roller walked to load the bases. Williams scored on a ground out by Paxton. Venter then singled to score Callil and Roller. Joe Breaux singled and Ragan Forrest followed with a three-run bomb. 

Callil rounded out the scoring with a solo home run in the sixth.

"I really like the way our team came out and played today. We scored three runs early in the first game including Roller hitting the first pitch of the day out of the ballpark for a home run. We followed that up with another couple runs. Ranger answered back and scored their three but that was the last time they scored for the rest of the day., Mitch Thompson said.

"I'm very pleased with our pitching. Horn was very good in game one then Miller and Gonzales were outstanding in game two. One of the main differences is our guys just didn't walk people. We made the plays for the most part defensively and we were able to hit the ball out of the ballpark today. We had six or seven home runs. Motley had a huge day and it was fun to see him do that"

"Our guys swung the bat and played with a lot of confidence. Anytime you can play a conference doubleheader and win both ends of it, you're happy. When you dominate both ends of it, you're very happy. Today was one of those days. We've just got to show back up again tomorrow and get ready for a doubleheader on Saturday. Ranger still has their best arm available and ready to come at us so we will need to show back up and get ready to play again."