ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball throws out the first pitch of the 2019 season Friday with its home opener at Walt Driggers Field against Schreiner University at 3 p.m.
In addition to Friday's single game, the War Hawks will host Schreiner in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. with the second game set to begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Live stat and video links for all three games are available at mcmurrysports.com.
NOTES:
LAST SEASON: McMurry finished 2018 at 13-25, 7-17 ASC, which placed them 12th.
PRESEASON POLL: The War Hawks were tabbed 10th in the ASC Preseason Poll. McMurry received 83 points, ahead of Belhaven University and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Concordia Texas took the top spot after receiving 17 first-place votes, with UT Dallas receiving seven first-place votes to be tabbed second. Sul Ross State University garnered the final first place vote as the Lobos were tabbed third, with East Texas Baptist University and Hardin-Simmons University rounding out the top five.
WATCH LIST: Sophomore first baseman Nick Hamel and junior right-handed pitcher Jack Poe were named as the two War Hawks to watch on the preseason list.
As a freshman in 2018, Hamel hit three home runs while collecting 24 RBIs. He led the team in batting average at .362 en route to being named the ASC Freshman of the Year and second team All-ASC as a DH. He added 10 doubles, scored 21 runs and led the team with 46 hits.
On the mound, Poe is expected to lead the War Hawks. He made 13 appearances last year, including eight starts. He compiled a 3-6 record – tied for most wins on the team – while leading the team with 50.0 innings pitched. Poe had an ERA of 6.84 and a 1.86 WHIP and struck out 29 batters on the year.
ALL-ASC RETURNERS: The War Hawks return four All-ASC honorees from a year ago. Among them, Hamel is joined by outfielder Matthew Chalk and infielders Payton Stokes and Jordan Speck.
SCOUTING SCHREINER: The meeting with the War Hawks will serve as the season opener for the Mountaineers, as well. The Mountaineers went 13-23, 6-12 SCAC in 2018.
COACH BYINGTON: Head Coach John Byington enters his 11th season at the helm of the War Hawks. In his 10 seasons, Byington has a career record of 217-232.
