Updated Season Stats | Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box
BELTON - A Friday split moved McMurry down to the third spot in the American Southwest Conference West Division after taking game one over Mary Hardin-Baylor 3-0 and then falling in the series finale 11-6. For the Crusaders, it was the first time in school history that UMHB took a series from McMurry.
The No. 20-ranked UMHB moved to 7-2 in the ASC West Division after taking two of the three games. McMurry fell to 5-4 in conference play putting the team in third place behind the Crusaders and Concordia-Texas (6-3).
Cody Curry tossed a 3-hit shutout in game one to help McMurry take its only game of the series. Curry completed the seven-inning game, walked three and struck out five in the victory, and the junior moved to 5-0 on the season.
Steven Yurchick, Derek David and Stephen Derrick all drove in one run apiece and put McMurry in a position to tie for first place with UMHB if it could take the second game of the doubleheader as well.
However, McMurry's game three starter Arnold Toombs suffered a concussion in batting practice before the first game when he was struck in the right jaw by a line drive. As a result, head coach Lee Driggers turned to his bullpen for a starter in the crucial game.
Dakota Smith got the nod just a day after throwing an inning in relief. Smith did well with his time allowing just one run in four innings and left the game with a 4-1 lead. However, Grayson Lee and Kyle Martin were unable to hold the hot-hitting Crusaders in check and UMHB went on to win 11-6 and take the series.
Yurchick led off the second game with a solo home run and Derrick then knocked in a 3-run homer in the third inning to put McMurry up 4-1. However, UMHB struck back with a run in the fourth, four runs in the fifth, a run in the seventh and five more in the eighth inning.
McMurry lost the lead in the fifth inning as the Crusaders took a 5-4 lead. However, McMurry fought back thanks to a 2-run single from Weston Franco to put the visitors back on top 6-5. However, it would be the last two runs McMurry would score and UMHB went on to pound McMurry's bullpen for six more runs.
McMurry will try to get back on track with a home series against Schreiner this weekend. The two teams will square off with a single game Friday at 7 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
