ABILENE, Texas – A pair of late rallies weren't enough as McMurry University Baseball left the tying run on base in a pair of close losses to UT Dallas Friday evening at Walt Driggers Field. The Comets took game one 7-6, before holding on in the nightcap, 11-9.
The War Hawks and Comets are scheduled to complete the series Saturday at 1 p.m. With rain in the forecast, visit mcmurrysports.com for updates.
UT Dallas 7, McMurry 6
The War Hawks (7-25, 0-17 ASC) quickly erased a 2-0 deficit in the first inning by scoring three runs of their own. Designated hitter Sam Hillyer ripped a two run double to deep centerfield to tie the game, and scored when first baseman Marty Carnahan drove him in on a single.
McMurry was forced to play from behind once again after the Comets (16-16, 8-6 ASC) scored three times over the third and fourth frames.
In the fourth, centerfielder Josh Jimenez got the War Hawks within one with an RBI groundout scoring Hillyer. Hillyer then tied the game in the fifth on a sacrifice fly.
However, UTD added single tallies in the sixth and seventh innings to regain the lead.
With the bases loaded down by a pair in the seventh, Hillyer delivered once again with another sac fly. But McMurry would leave the tying and game-winning runs on base as Carnahan grounded out to end the game.
Carnahan, Hillyer and right fielder Mike Gonzales all collected two hits, with Hillyer driving in four and scoring twice.
Right-hander Jack Poe took the loss after allowing six runs, five earned, over six innings of work. He surrendered eight hits while striking out three.
UT Dallas 11, McMurry 9
McMurry rallied once again in the nightcap, but ultimately left the tying run on base in the ninth inning. The War Hawks got one run in the inning on an RBI single by Jimenez, but the game ended in the next at bat with a fielder's choice.
After the War Hawks got the first two outs in the first inning, the Comets tallied six consecutive hits to score five times.
UTD would extend the lead to 6-0 before McMurry got on the board with a Carnahan double scoring Hillyer. The Comets then added two more in the third to lead 8-1.
After an RBI groundout by shortstop Payton Stokes made it 8-2 in the fourth, the War Hawks' bats heated up in the seventh. McMurry slowly chipped away, scoring on a sac fly, passed ball and then RBI single by Gonzales.
Carnahan then had the big blow of the inning, driving in two with a triple to right field to bring McMurry within one at 8-7.
The Comets added three insurance runs in the eighth, with McM getting one run back in the bottom half on a single by leftfielder Matthew Chalk. After Jimenez's single in the ninth to represent the tying run, he was stranded at first to end the game.
Reliever Chris Lewis entered the game in the third inning, tossing four scoreless innings before wearing in the eighth. He allowed three unearned runs over 5.2 innings with three strikeouts.
Carnahan led the charge at the plate with three RBIs and three extra base hits. Jimenez, Gonzales, Hillyer and catcher Blaine McRay all had two hits, as well. Hillyer scored three runs, while Chalk added two RBIs.
