GEORGETOWN, Texas – McMurry University Softball was swept in its doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Southwestern University, falling 9-1 in game one and 7-6 in game two.
McMurry will begin American Southwest Conference play next weekend, with a doubleheader February 15 beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a single game February 16 at noon.
Southwestern 9, McMurry 1 (5 inn.)
The War Hawks (5-3) struck first in the opening frame on an RBI single by Kasey Woolard, but the Pirates (4-0) chipped away throughout the game for the five inning victory.
Southwestern tied the game in the second, before scoring two runs in both the third and fourth innings. The Pirates ended the game on runs by adding four runs in the fifth.
McMurry placed runners in scoring position in the third and fourth innings, but were unable to come up with key hits to drive in the runs.
Woolard led the War Hawks with two hits and an RBI, while Mikayla Krause went 1-for-3 with a run.
Lydia Clarke took the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. Clarke recorded two strikeouts on the afternoon.
Southwestern 7, McMurry 6
The War Hawks scored early and had to rally late, but it wasn't enough to knock off the Pirates in the nightcap.
Down 7-4 entering the seventh inning, Mercedes Rae brought the War Hawks within two scoring on an error while Rachel Ripley advanced to third. Ripley then scored on an error, as well, but the War Hawks were unable to score the tying run.
McMurry struck in the first inning once again, when Hope Schoeneman drove in a run on an infield single. Avery McDaniel would later drive in a pair on a two-run double to give the War Hawks a 3-0 lead.
Southwestern battled back with two runs in the bottom of the first, and then took the lead with two more in the third. The Pirates added two runs again in the fourth for a 6-3 lead.
Woolard answered with an RBI single in the fifth, but the Pirates regained their three-run lead with a run in the sixth before the War Hawks' final rally.
Madison Morgan went the distance in the circle for the War Hawks, allowing seven runs on 10 hits in six innings. Morgan had two strikeouts, as well.
The Pirates committed five errors in game two, but the War Hawks weren't able to capitalize on the Pirate mistakes.
