Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ABILENE, Texas – The McMurry baseball team needed just one day to clinch a series victory over the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith as it took both games of a double header on Friday at Walt Driggers Field. The War Hawks took game one, 5-4, before defeating UAFS by a score of 3-2 in game two.

McM had a strong, all-around performance during the day, as it received strong performances from the pitching staff, great defense, and timely hitting over the course of the double header.

In game one, the day didn't seem like it was going to go the War Hawks way at first. After setting down the first two batters on just four pitches, starter Chase Moreland proceeded to walk the next three in a row to load the bases. He then hit a batter and threw a wild pitch to allow to runners to cross the plate to give UAFS the 2-0 lead, without registering a hit.

After the first inning, however, Moreland regained his composure and found command of his pitches, holding UAFS to just a trio of singles over the next three innings of work.

In the top of the fifth, the Lions would strike again. Dax Dupire singled to lead off the top of the fifth inning and was moved to second a sacrifice bunt. After reaching third on a wild pitch, Dupire was brought in on a sacrifice fly, to make the UAFS lead 3-0.

The War Hawks showed resilience in the game and got back within striking distance in the bottom of the fifth. Jordan Kennedy, making just his sixth appearance of the season, led off the inning with a single to right field. Nick Marsh then moved Kennedy to second with a well-placed sacrifice bunt, which was immediately followed by an Eric Preuss RBI single, which scored Kennedy to cut the lead to 3-1. Eric Moritz then followed Preuss with a single of his own and the pair moved to second and third on a wild pitch. Greg Koll then drove in Preuss to make the score 3-2.

After Moreland shut down the Lions in the top of the sixth, the War Hawks seized their opportunity to take the lead. Dylan De Leon got things started with a triple to right center field and was drove in by a single from Cody Howard to tie the game at 3-3. Kennedy added his second hit of the game and was followed by an RBI single from Marsh, giving McM the lead, 4-3. A wild pitch would then allow Kennedy to score from third to give McMurry the cushion that it needed, 5-3.

In the top of the seventh inning, Moreland struck out the first batter he faced, but then ran into trouble walking and hitting a batter to put runners on first and second with one out. Jared Hopper then came in to try to close the door.

The first batter Hopper faced singled to left, scoring one to help the Lions cut into the lead, 5-4. However, after intentionally walking the bases loaded, Hopper came up big, getting Ben Smith to hit into a double play to end the game, and earn his third save of the year.

Offensively, Kennedy lead the way for the War Hawks, as the only player with multiple hits in the contest. He also scored two runs on the day. Howard, Marsh, Preuss and Koll all added a RBI in the game.

Moreland went 6.1 innings of work, striking out five while allowing four earned runs in the ball game.

In game two, the War Hawks got a great pitching performance from Spencer Smith, and some strong defensive play to take the second half of the double-header, 3-2.

McM notched the first run of the contest in the bottom of the first inning when Howard drove in Ricky Garcia for the game's first run to give the War Hawks the 1-0 lead.

In the top of the third inning, UAFS threatened with runners at first and third with one out. Christian Allen hit what he thought was going to be a game-tying, sacrifice fly to left field, but De Leon gunned out Ozzie Hurt at the plate, to keep the Lions scoreless.

UAFS finally broke through when Ben Smith finally got to Smith with a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 1-1.

The War Hawks would once again respond, getting runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings. With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Garcia and De Leon notched back-to-back triples to make the score 2-1. Then, in the sixth inning, Zach Hagan provided an insurance run by driving in Marsh to extend the advantage to 3-1.

UAFS threatened again the top of the seventh inning, getting two runners on with one out. Once again, however, Smith worked out of the jam, getting Hurt to ground into the inning-ending double play and preserve the 3-1 lead.

Once again, in the top of the eighth, the Lions put two batters on with one out. However, this time coach John Byington went to the bullpen and brought in Charlie Hejny, who worked out of the jam and kept UAFS off the board.

After allowing a sacrifice fly RBI in the top of the ninth inning, Hejny closed the door, sealing the save and the War Hawks' 3-2 victory by getting Dupire to ground out to end the game.

Offensively in game two, Ruben Zendejas collected three hits in the contest, with Garcia, Marsh and Hagan all adding two apiece. Hagan also added a RBI and was joined in that category by De Leon and Howard.

On the mound, Smith bounced back nicely. After losing his last two games, the senior pitched 7.1 innings, allowing seven hits, but just one earned run in the game.

McM will be back in action tomorrow when it will go for the sweep against UAFS. The nine-inning contest is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.