ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball put together a late rally in game two of a doubleheader at Walt Driggers Field Saturday afternoon against LeTourneau University, but the YellowJackets held on for the sweep with 8-4 and 8-6 victories.
The War Hawks continue American Southwest Conference play next weekend with a series at Sul Ross State University.
LeTourneau 8, McMurry 4
McMurry got runners on second and third and it seemed as if the War Hawks (6-11, 0-3 ASC) would bring the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh of a hit by pitch, but the umpire instead ruled a strikeout, ending the game.
The YellowJackets took an early lead in the first inning on a home run, but second baseman Jordan Speck delivered a home run of his own in the bottom of the second, driving a 3-1 fastball over the left field fence for a three-run homer giving McMurry a 3-2 lead.
LeTourneau would add two runs in both the third and fourth innings to regain the lead at 6-3. The War Hawks would get a run back in the fifth when Speck scored on an RBI groundout by outfielder Josh Jimenez.
However, the YellowJackets would add two insurance runs in the top of the seventh before holding off the War Hawks' last inning rally.
Right-hander Juan Valadez took the loss on the mound, allowing five runs on five hits over three innings. Devin Molina threw four innings in relief, allowing two unearned runs while striking out four.
Speck finished with two hits, three RBIs and two runs at the plate, while catcher Blaine McRay tallied three hits in game one.
LeTourneau 8, McMurry 6
The War Hawks once again had runners at second and third in the final inning, but were unable to bring in the tying run. First baseman Nick Hamel led off the inning with a single and Marty Carnahan followed one batter later with a double to left center, but the YellowJackets ended the McMurry rally with a strikeout and groundout.
In the eighth inning, the War Hawks struck for four runs to bring a 7-2 deficit to 7-6. Left fielder Matthew Chalk drove in the first run of the inning with a single to center, and three runs came across on a single by right fielder Mike Gonzales, as the third run came across on the throw to second as Gonzales was advancing.
McMurry fell behind early, as the YellowJackets struck for six runs in the second inning en route to a 7-0 lead after three frames.
The War Hawks would get on the board in the fourth inning, as third baseman Sam Hillyer smacked his first home run of the year, a two-run shot to left.
After pulling within one in the eighth, LeTourneau added an insurance run in the ninth, which would prove critical in the War Hawks' rally.
Though the YellowJackets got to him early, starting pitcher Derek Hostas settled down in his final three frames, posting three zeros. Overall, Hostas allowed seven runs, six earned, on eight hits over six innings with a pair of strikeouts. Hunter Brooks had two scoreless innings in relief.
Hamel and Gonzales each led the War Hawks with three hits, with Gonzales contributing two RBIs and Hamel scoring twice. Chalk also had a pair of hits with an RBI and run scored.
