JACKSON, Miss. – Right-hander Jack Poe threw and complete game shutout and third baseman Sam Hillyer hit a first inning grand slam as McMurry University Baseball picked up its first American Southwest Conference win Thursday night at Belhaven University, 7-0.
Poe, named a player to watch in the ASC at the beginning of the season, was dominant, striking out 10 without issuing a walk. He allowed just six hits. It is the first complete game shutout since John Eric Cortez threw seven scoreless innings in a run rule win over UT Dallas on April 1, 2017.
The War Hawks (8-26, 1-18) got things started with a bang, as the first five batters reached base. After a bases loaded walk to catcher Blaine McRay to score the first run, third baseman Sam Hillyer blasted a grand slam to left, giving McMurry a 5-0 lead. The slam was Hillyer's second of the season, becoming the first War Hawk in the modern era to hit two grand slams in the same season.
Scoreless over the next four innings, McMurry would add two more in the sixth on a two-run double by McRay. Hillyer and McRay would drive in all seven of McMurry's runs on the evening.
McMurry put runners on second and third in the second with one out after a double by McRay, but Hillyer lined out to second and first baseman Marty Carnahan struck out to end the inning. The War Hawks put two runners on in the fourth, as well, but ultimately left the runners on base.
The Blazers (10-28, 2-20 ASC) briefly threatened in the second and ninth, but Poe got out of both jams. With runners on the corners and one out in the second, Poe struck out the final two batters to end the inning. After a leadoff double in the ninth, Poe then retired the side with a strikeout and two groundouts.
McMurry pounded out 12 hits on the evening, three each by McRay and leftfielder Matthew Chalk. Hillyer had two hits on the night. Both Chalk and designated hitter Mike Gonzales scored two runs.
The teams were originally scheduled to play a doubleheader Thursday, but weather forced just a single game. The Blazers and War Hawks will now conclude the series Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.
