ABILENE, Texas – For just the second time this season, McMurry University senior shortstop Kyle Sargent hit a home run in a game and, for the second time, it led to a walk-off victory. This time Sargent's three-run blast capped a six-run ninth inning, come-from-behind win over Texas Wesleyan University, 10-9, at Walt Driggers Field.
 
On a day when it appeared things just were not headed in the War Hawks (26-5) direction, Sargent's heroics kept his team rolling along to the best start in school history and preserved McM's win streak, which now stands at eight.
 
However, early on, things looked less than rosy for the War Hawks. The Rams built a 4-0 lead on McM with single runs in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings.  In the bottom of the sixth, the War Hawks clawed back for a pair of runs, thanks to Mikal Hunter's two-out, two-run single that plated Ricky Garcia and Zach Hagan to make it 4-2.  An unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning tightened matters to 4-3.
 
But in a tit-for-tat style, TWU responded with a run in the top of the eighth to again lead by a pair, 5-3, only to have McMurry slice it to a single run in their half of the frame. It was Sargent's RBI single thru the right side that eventually scored pinch runners Blake Smith, 5-4.
 
In the top of the ninth, it looked like any magic McM was hoping for had gone out the window. Trevor Ragsdale, who closed out the eighth for the War Hawks, gave up back-to-back hits and was lifted for Ben Bates. Both runners would eventually score, and the Rams would tally two more runs off of Bates for a four-run ninth that left the War Hawks down by five, 9-4. 
 
It was the second largest deficit the War Hawks had seen at any point in 2015. McM trailed Mary Hardin-Baylor by six runs in a 13-7 loss back on March 13.
 
McMurry began its improbable comeback with a ground out by Patrick Adams. It would prove to be the last thing TWU faithful had a chance to cheer about in the game.
 
Cody Howard drilled a single to center and, after Hagan was hit by a pitch, the War Hawks had two on. Garcia single past shortstop to score Howard with Hagan moving to third. Smith – who had run after designated hitter Ben Douglas drew an eight-inning walk – worked the count to 3-2 before looping an RBI single down the right field line, scoring Hagan and with Garcia stopping at third, 9-6. Hunter then squirted a single thru shortstop, as Garcia scored and Smith pulling into second, 9-7.
 
That was enough for TWU head coach Mike Jeffcoat, who summoned Bailey Laws from the Rams' bullpen as his fourth hurler of the evening. Laws got Casey Berryman to fly out deep to center, allowing Smith to move up 90-feet.
 
That brought Sargent to the plate, who broke Laws with his prodigious shot deep over the right field fence that sent the War Hawks into a frenzied celebration for the 10-9 walk-off victory.
 
Sargent finished the game 2-for-5 with four RBI. Hunter was also 2-for-5, driving in three runs himself. Howard, Hagan and Garcia all went 2-for-4 in the game.
 
McM starter Mitch Labbie went 7 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits, He was charged with five runs, three of which were earned, and had no decision. Labbie struck out six and walked three. Ragsdale went 2/3 of an inning and was charged with two earned runs.
 
Bates got the win – improving to 7-1 - with one inning of relief, allowing four hits and two earned runs.
 
McMurry will next embark on a five-game road trip.  McM will play back-to-back doubleheaders at Wayland Baptist University on April 17 and 18 in Plainview, before a single game at Angelo State on April 20.