McClain Tigers run-rule Highland County counterpart Fairfield

LEESBURG — The McClain Tigers and Fairfield Lions opened their 2025 baseball seasons on Saturday, where the Tigers came away with a convincing 19-3 win over the host Fairfield Lions.

McClain (1-0) finished the game with 16 hits, while the Lions (0-1) totaled eight hits in the game. Both teams committed multiple errors, and for the Tigers, they were able to take advantage of those opportunities with runs scored.

The Tigers were first to score runs with two runs in the top of the first inning, but the Lions roared back with a three-run bottom of the first inning for a 3-2 lead.

McClain took the lead in the top of the third with five runs, followed by a two-run fourth inning and 10 runs in the top of the fifth.

“In the top of the first we scored two. Fairfield, of course, came back with a big three-run homer from their kid, which put us down 3-2, but our guys didn't shut down,” McClain head coach Donnie Ary said. “That's what we do. We're a very resilient group. We hit the ball really well today. I thought our base running was immaculate, almost perfect. We put a lot of pressure on them, and then Cohen Six on the mound today, just a bulldog.

“He went the entire time, five innings, only 71 pitches, giving up three runs. I haven't looked at all the stats, but I know a lot of guys went perfect on the day at the plate, had some RBIs, and Cohen had a great job on the mound. Just a really resilient group here, and they came out and showed what they're capable of.”

McClain was led at the plate by Cohen Six, who was 3-for-3 (a double) with three runs and three RBI with two walks.

Hudson Lovett finished at 3-for-5 (a double) with three runs and two RBI.

Connor Chandler was 2-for-3 with three runs, three RBI and two walks. Also with two hits was Hunter Peabody, as he went 2-for-4 (a double) with two runs and three RBI. Easton Ary also collected two hits at 2-for-2 with one run, one RBI and two walks.

Colton McNeal for McClain was 1-for-1, and Connor McCune finished 1-for-4 with two runs, two RBI and a walk. Kolton Lamb was 1-for-3 with two runs, and Alex Perie ended at 1-for-1 with one RBI.  

Hayden Cornell was hit by a pitch and forced a walk for McClain, and credited with steals were Six (two), Ary, McCune, Chandler, Peabody, Lovett and Lamb. Also with two walks and two runs was Carson Chandler.

“Cohen really did a great job on the mound, and he did a great job at the plate,” Ary said. “Carson Chandler, behind the plate, he had a heck of a throw out to second, and that was huge. He was big too.

“Connor Chandler in the leadoff spot hitting, you know, these kids are team over here this year to ready play, but really up and down the lineup. Easton Ary was 2-for-2, Hunter Peabody hit a shot there at the end, put us up by 10 in the top of that fifth inning, and it really just skyrocketed from there. Everybody just kind of feeds off each other. On this team, they're a really tight-knit group, and I’m really happy to see them be successful today.”

For the Lions, they had Cameron Miller finish 2-for-3 with one run, and also with two hits was Zane Matthews at 2-for-3 with one run, three RBI and a home run.

Corey Zimmerman was 1-for-3 with a run scored, Corbin Willey went 1-for-3, Blaine Fauber finished 1-for-2 (a double) and Zach Ahsaruk was 1-for-2.

Six was the winning pitcher, finishing with five innings pitched, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and no walks with five strikeouts. He totaled 71 pitches, 55 for strikes.

FHS had three pitchers on the mound with the loss to Matthews as he pitched two innings, striking out four batters. Also for Fairfield, Willey pitched 2.1 innings, with four strikeouts, and Miller pitched 0.2 innings.

BOX SCORE
MHS    205 2 10 xx — 19
FHS    300 000 0 — 3

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