Box Score

ABILENE, Texas - For the fourth-straight game McMurry struggled at the plate, and Friday it hurt as Louisiana College took the first game of a best-of-three series in the American Southwest Conference Tournament, 7-6 at Driggers Field. Ryan Riche hit the game-winning single in the top of the ninth inning with two outs breaking the 6-6 tie and McMurry couldn't respond in the bottom of the ninth inning.

For Riche, it was his first hit of the 2008 season; the sophomore had just six at bats prior to the game but delivered for the Wildcats. With one out and a runner on first Tyler Bray grounded to McMurry pitcher Aaron Wood who had a chance at a double play ball but after muffing the grounder his only play was at first base.

Then, the Wildcats' Matt Smith hit a tough chopper in between Wood and the catcher Thomas Beckham for an infield single and Bryan George advanced to third. Then Riche singled through the left side with two outs to score George.

After two quick outs in the bottom of the ninth, McMurry's Brent Voorhees doubled down the left field line and Beckham walked to put runners at first and second. However, LC's Smith touched third for the force out on a Gerad Morris grounder to end the game.

McMurry put up three runs in the bottom of the second after a two-out error by Wildcat starter Tyler Brooks. Brooks attempted a pickoff to first base but Bray wasn't ready for the throw and two runners came across to score. Steven Yurchick then added an RBI single and McMurry took an early 3-0 advantage.

However, in the top of the third Louisiana struck back with a 3-run homer to tie the score. David Roux appeared to have hit a pop fly to right field, however, the West Texas wind was blowing out to right center field and Morris made a leaping attempt at the wall, but it cleared for Roux's ninth home run of the season.

Each team scored a pair of runs in the fourth to re-knot the score at 5-5. Then, McMurry regained the lead in the seventh when George Whitten scored on a wild pitch. The Wildcats scored on a safety squeeze in the eight with one out to tie the score before eventually taking the winning run in the ninth.

McMurry starter Clint Johnston tossed 4.2 innings, allowed ten hits, five runs (all earned), walked two and struck out three. Adrian Gaona pitched well in relief with 2.2 innings and was responsible for the run scored on the squeeze play.

Wood threw 1.2 innings and struck out one. The loss was the senior's first of the season and he fell to 3-1 on the year.

McMurry will try to keep its season alive at 1 p.m. Saturday in a must-win game. If McMurry wins game two, a third and deciding game will take place 30 minutes following game two.

McMurry's Cody Curry will take an 8-1 record into Saturday's game as the starter. Craig Naquin will be the likely starter for the Wildcats Saturday in game two. The junior has a 3-4 record and a 6.05 ERA.