WACO, TX — The No. 6 McLennan Highlanders got two run-rule wins over the Ranger Rangers this afternoon at Bosque River Ballpark to pick up another series win.
McLennan defeated Ranger 12-2 in six innings of game one with Grant Miller picking up the complete-game win on the mound.
The Highlanders began the scoring with a run in the bottom of the first. Jalen Battles singled. Cole Moore and Garrett Martin drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. A Brett Squires fielder’s choice put Battles out at the plate. Aidan Shepardson then walked to score Moore.
Ranger’s only two runs came in the top of the second as Ricky Rivera walked and scored on Kaleb Thompson’s home run.
McLennan took the lead with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Shepardson singled and Ryan Bishop walked. Ryan Neitsch followed with a single to score Shepardson. Bishop and Neitsch both advanced on an overthrow and scored on a single by Jordan Yeatts. Battles was safe at first and advanced all the way to third on a Ranger error, allowing Yeatts to score. Battles then scored on a sacrifice fly by Moore.
The Highlanders sealed the run rule with six runs in the sixth. Neitsch led off with a single and Yeatts was hit by the pitch. Battles singled to score Neitsch, and Moore walked. Martin was safe on an error, allowing Yeatts and Battles to score. Brett Squires walked, and Shepardson singled to score Moore. Martin scored on a single by Jaylen Williams, and a fielder’s choice by Bishop scored Squires to end the game.
McLennan only needed five innings to defeat Ranger 11-1 in game two with Jack Driskell picking up the win.
Two Highlander runs scored in the bottom of the first as Battles walked and scored on Moore’s home run.
McLennan added a run in the third as Battles doubled, moved to third on a fly out by Martin and scored on a wild pitch.
The Highlanders exploded for six runs in the fourth. Shepardson, Williams and Vince Ippoliti walked the bases loaded. Neitsch also walked, bringing Shepardson in to score, and Williams scored on a wild pitch. Yeatts then singled to score Ippoliti and Neitsch. Battles reached first safely on an error. Moore walked, bringing Yeatts in to score. Squires walked, and Shepardson was safe on an error, scoring Battles.
Ranger’s run came in the top of the fifth. Luis Vargas and Victor Bueno both singled. David Furgurson walked to load the bases. Tucker Barton then walked to score Vargas.
Two McLennan runs in the bottom of the fifth sealed the win. Neitsch and Yeatts both singled. Moore followed with a sacrifice fly to score Neitsch, and Yeatts scored on a wild pitch to end the game.
McLennan will host Hill for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Wednesday at Bosque River Ballpark.
