ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball used a five-run sixth inning to take the lead and top visiting East Texas Baptist University, 8-5, in the series finale Saturday afternoon at Walt Driggers Field.

Trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the six, the War Hawks (6-7) crossed the plate five times to take a 7-4 lead. With one out and runners on the corners, first baseman Nick Hamel roped a single to left scoring outfielder Josh Burnett to bring McMurry within one.

Four runs came across with two outs in the innings, as after a strikeout outfielder Josh Jimenez delivered the tying run on an infield single. The War Hawks would take the lead when second baseman Jordan Speck lined a two-run double to right center, and Speck would score the fifth run on a sharp liner by outfielder Mike Gonzales.

The Tigers (7-6) scored three unearned runs in the second and fourth innings to take a 3-0 lead, but the War Hawks got back within one in the fifth as Speck drove in a run on a groundout and Gonzales drove in a run with a single to right. ETBU would go back up two in the sixth on an RBI triple.

McMurry added an insurance run when Hamel reached on a fielder's choice with third baseman Sam Hillyer racing home from third on an errant throw.

ETBU attempted to rally in the eighth, scoring a run when the first three batters reached, but Hamel came on to shut the door, tossing two scoreless innings to earn his fourth save in as many chances. He struck out for allowing just one hit.

Righty Hunter Brooks picked up the win after tossing 1.2 innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits. Freshman right-hander Derek Hostas got the start on the mound, with just one of his four runs allowed being earned over 5.1 innings.

Hamel finished with two hits, two runs and an RBI at the plate, with Speck collecting a team-high three RBIs. Jimenez and Hillyer scored twice, as well, with Gonzales tallying two hits and two RBIs.

McMurry is at Wayland Baptist University Tuesday at 4 p.m.