MARSHALL, Texas – For the second time this season, McMurry University's softball team faced off versus a nationally-ranked opponent, losing a doubleheader at NCAA Division III No. 12 East Texas Baptist University, 5-2 and 10-1. The losses dropped to 10-23 overall (7-17 ASC), while the tigers improved to 26-7 (19-4 ASC).
 
(McM also took on NCAA Division III No. 3-ranked Texas-Tyler in February).
 
In game one, the spunky War Hawks were locked in a scoreless battle with ETBU for the first four innings, with McM starting pitcher Kamwren Jackson (4-12) allowing just three hits to that point. But in the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers finally got to Jackson for three runs.
 
McMurry was unfazed, however, when they came to the plate in the sixth. With one out, junior Rachel Ripley connected for a solo home run. It was her team-leading sixth roundtripper of the year. The very next batter – Nina Hernandez – then smacked her fourth homer of the season, making it 3-2.
 
In their half of the sixth, ETBU picked up two more runs off Jackson with one out. Cheyenne West came on for McM to retire the side with McMurry down, 5-2. In the top of the seventh, the War Hawks loaded the bases, but could not muster any more runs.
 
Game two was dominated by the Tigers dominated, shortened by the run-rule. West (4-9) started and was charged with six runs in 1.2 innings of work.
 
Ripley and Summer Quiroga each had two hits, accounting for four of the team's five total hits. Ripley was 2-for-2, both doubles, giving her 11 two-baggers on the season. She has a total of 20 extra-base hits in 2018 and upped her RBI total to 36.
 
Quiroga had a pair of singles in the game, as well.
 
The two teams will close out the three-game series with a single game Sunday (April 15) at 1 p.m.