BROWNWOOD, Texas – McMurry University's series victory over Howard Payne gave the War Hawks sole possession of fourth place as the team prepares for its final two American Southwest Conference West Division series. McMurry moved to 7-8 and has a one-game lead over Sul Ross State and HPU with six league games to spare.

In order to make their eighth consecutive trip to the ASC Postseason Tournament, the War Hawks will need to stay in at least fourth place with Sul Ross State (Fri-Sat.) and first-place Hardin-Simmons (April 21-22) series' remaining.

Friday night's 9-6 win saw Michael Dibiasi pick up a win and Deen Colman pick up a two-inning save in relief for McMurry. Brian Durst drove in two runs while Bradd Baker scored two runs and collected three hits. The War Hawks trailed 6-4 before scoring three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth to comeback and take the win.

In the first game of Saturday's doubleheader Matt Thompson drove in four runs with three hits and two triples to highlight the team's 13-hit performance. Jake Mullin and Kory Moench each drove in two runs as well and Spencer Smith picked up the win in relief for the visitors. HPU came back from a 9-5 deficit to knot the score at nine. However, Austin Brooks scored on an error for McMurry in the top of the seventh and Coleman picked up his second-consecutive save out of the bullpen.

The Yellow Jackets avoided the sweep in the series finale as HPU scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to take an 8-7 win. In the losing effort Thompson had two more triples and three RBI's to accompany three hits. Mullin was charged with the loss out of the bullpen and HPU's Corey Howie picked up a win in relief when he threw the final 3.1 innings allowing just one hit, he struck out six and didn't allow a run.

The War Hawks moved to 10-21 overall and 7-8 in league play while the Yellow Jackets moved to 11-18 overall and 6-9 in league play. McMurry returns to action Tuesday at 2 p.m. in non-conference action against Southwestern.