ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Softball was swept in an American Southwest Conference opening doubleheader at Red Bud Park Friday evening, falling 15-7 and 8-4 to LeTourneau University.
The War Hawks and Yellow Jackets will conclude the series tomorrow at noon. Live stats will be available at mcmurrysports.com.
LeTourneau 15, McMurry 7 (5)
The Yellow Jackets (4-0, 2-0 ASC) hit three home runs and scored eight runs in the top of the third inning to top the War Hawks (5-5, 0-2 ASC) in game one.
McMurry answered the call the first two times the Yellow Jackets scored, knotting the game at 3-3 after the second inning. However, LeTourneau scored seven runs before recording an out in the third to break the game open.
The War Hawks scored three times in the bottom of the frame, aided by an RBI double by catcher Nina Hernandez and RBI groundout by outfielder Ashley McClellan.
Within striking distance after four, the Yellow Jackets scored four times in the fourth after extending the inning on an error.
Designated player Kasey Woolard homered in the bottom of the fifth, but the War Hawks were unable to extend the game.
First baseman Rachel Ripley, outfielder Kollin Morris and Hernandez each had two hits for the War Hawks. Hope Schoeneman took the loss in the circle, allowing eight runs on nine hits in two plus innings.
LeTourneau 8, McMurry 4
LeTourneau used the home run to their advantage once again, connecting on five long balls in the game two win. McMurry got two solo homers of their own from Ripley and Hernandez.
The teams traded solo home runs in the first and second innings, before the Yellow Jackets used three home runs in the top of the third to score five times.
Ripley would then homer in the third, and the War Hawks would add two in the fourth on an RBI groundout by second baseman Avery McDaniel and outfielder Summer Quiroga scoring on a throwing error to pull within 6-4.
That would be as close as the War Hawks would get, as the Yellow Jackets tacked on a two-run homer in the top of the seventh for insurance runs.
Kamwren Jackson threw 2.2 innings, taking the loss after allowing five runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Cheyenne West allowed three runs (two earned) in 4.1 innings of relief.
