ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball forged a late rally by scoring three times in the final three innings, but came up short in its season finale against the University of the Ozarks Saturday afternoon at Walt Driggers Field, 5-3.

The Eagles (16-23) took an early 2-0 lead in the third, and it would stay that way through six innings. However, in the seventh, Ozarks added three more on a single and two-run homer for a 5-0 advantage.

McMurry answered with a pair in the bottom half of the seventh, as first baseman Sam Hillyer hit a two-run blast to left center after a leadoff walk to right fielder Mike Gonzales.

The War Hawks (10-29) strung together a pair of hits in the ninth, capped by an RBI single by centerfielder Josh Jimenez to bring the War Hawks within 5-3. With the tying run at the plate, the rally ended with a strikeout.

McMurry placed runners in scoring position in the fourth and fifth innings, as well.

Jimenez was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with an RBI on the afternoon, while Hillyer was 1-for-4 with the home run and two RBIs. Pinch hitter Justin Kutz had a double and a run scored.

Righty Juan Valadez got the start on the mound, tossing 6.2 innings. He allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits. He struck out three, as well, in the final start of his collegiate career.

Valadez was one of six seniors honored before the game, along with catcher Blaine McRay, second baseman Jordan Speck, left fielder Matthew Chalk, shortstop Payton Stokes and catcher Justin Franklin.