Highlanders fight off Rangers

WACO -- Riding the high of a walkoff win in its last outing, Ranger took to the road facing a tough task in No. 17 McLennan. RC has struggled against some of the heavyweights in the NTJCAC it was a completely different feel to the series this time around, unfortunately, the result was the same as MCC swept the double-dip.

GAME 1

RC took a 3-0 lead to the third inning before back-to-back singles got the Highlanders started. MCC followed with two-straight home runs, Ranger helped the Highlanders score again by hitting a batter and walking a pair before an error made it 5-3. 

Ranger was unable to get on the board again and dropped the opener 7-3.

RC opened the scoring in the first inning with a Ricky Rivera single. They followed with a pair of runs in the second. JJ Padilla started the scoring with an RBI single and Tucker Burton had a sac-fly to make it, 3-0.

GAME 2

Pick things up in a very familiar situation, the bottom of the ninth and two outs with Noah Winkleman at the plate. A couple things were different this time, Winkleman could have only tied the game with an HR, but he wasn't able to play the hero role again. McLennan picked up the out and won the finale 6-4.

Kaleb Thompson got the Rangers within two in the ninth with a double and scored on a wild pitch.

RC's big inning came in the seventh. With two outs a base on balls started the rally, Anthony Huggins doubled in a run and Daniel Goncalves singled in a run to bring Ranger within 5-3.

SCHEDULE SAYS 

Ranger will close out its season Saturday when they host McLennan starting at 1 p.m.