SEGUIN, Texas – McMurry University pitcher Jack Poe cruised through the first five innings, before a rocky sixth frame spelled doom for McMurry University in a 5-2 loss at Texas Lutheran University's Katt-Isbel Field. The loss to open the three-game, non-conference series left the War Hawks at 3-7, while the Bulldogs improved to 10-3 overall.
 
Poe (1-3) was masterful in the early going. He gave up just two hits and no runs through five innings of work.  In the top of the sixth, McMurry's bats finally gave their pitcher some runs and breathing room.
 
Noah Clarkson opened the McM at-bats with a single to center. Mike Gonzales then laid down a sacrifice bunt, which was misplayed by TLU and both runners were safe. Matthew Chalk sacrificed the runners up a base and Tyler Jenkins flied out.  With two out, Nick Hamel singled to right field, plating both Clarkson and Gonzales to make it 2-0.
 
But in the bottom of the sixth, the Bulldogs began to nip at Poe.  The first five batters of the inning came away with two walks and three singles, resulting in two TLU runs that knotted the game, 2-2. Before Poe could get out of the jam, the hosts added two more runs and led, 4-2.
 
TLU picked up an insurance run in the seventh off of McM reliever Aaron Donald.
 
Hamel laced a ninth inning double, going 2-for-4 for the game.  Hamel collected both runs batted in for McMurry.
 
Clarkson went 2-for-3 and scored once. No other War Hawks were able to muster a hit versus TLU pitcher Dylan Drgac, who upped his personal record to 4-0.
 
The teams will play a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday (March 3) to close out the series.