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McLean built an early lead and survived a tense seventh-inning comeback to defeat Herndon 8-6 on May 1, completing a regular-season sweep with Liberty District tournament seeding at stake.
The Highlanders entered the road matchup three days after a commanding home victory over the Hornets. Coach Ky Parrott said his team understood the importance of earning another win against its district rival.
McLean needed only one out to score its first run. With two outs and runners on first and second, junior outfielder Kyle Peterson launched a three-run home run to straightaway center field, giving the Highlanders a 4-0 advantage after the opening inning.
Peterson said he “blacked out rounding the bases” and was especially pleased to contribute in such an important game.
Senior starting pitcher JW Riggins kept Herndon quiet through the first two innings, generating weak contact and strikeouts while receiving strong support from McLean’s offense and defense.
The Highlanders added a run on a passed ball before Herndon began cutting into the lead. A walk followed by consecutive doubles brought home two Hornets, making it 5-2 after three innings.
McLean capitalized on more Herndon mistakes in the fifth. Two Highlanders were hit in succession as part of a costly stretch that helped McLean score three runs and extend its advantage to 8-2.
Herndon answered with another run in the bottom of the fifth. Riggins continued into the sixth before senior Dan Ockerman took over in relief.
Riggins credited McLean’s defense for helping contain a talented Herndon lineup and said pitching deep into the game was rewarding.
The Hornets mounted their biggest threat in the bottom of the seventh. A single, triple and double produced two runs before McLean recorded an out, trimming the Highlanders’ lead to 8-5 and bringing the home crowd back into the game.
Third baseman Caius Antolik secured the first out with a juggling catch, but Herndon kept pressing. A sacrifice fly made it 8-6, and an error by Ockerman put the tying run at first with two outs and the potential winning run at the plate.
Ockerman ended the rally by inducing a groundout, sealing the victory and McLean’s sweep of one of the district’s top teams.
Peterson said there was a sense of relief when the final out was recorded, adding that celebrating on Herndon’s field after quieting the opposing crowd showed the Highlanders had accomplished their goal.
McLean had two district games remaining as it pursued the Liberty District’s top seed. The Highlanders were scheduled to host Marshall for senior night on May 12 before traveling to face the Statesmen on May 15.
Parrott said McLean still had areas to improve but expected the team to be prepared for the playoffs and the high-stakes games ahead.