CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The McMurry University baseball team begins its American Southwest Conference slate this weekend, as it travels to University of the Ozarks for a three-game set on Feb. 21-22 in Clarksville, Ark.
The War Hawks (2-3-1) and Eagles (5-1) ended last season with a three-game series, which Ozarks won two games to one in Abilene. Tomorrow's doubleheader will open conference play for both teams, beginning at noon. Game Two will begin 30 minutes or so following the opener. The series finale is set for Saturday at noon.
Game 1: LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO l TWITTER
Game 2: LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO l TWITTER
Game 3: LIVE STATS l LIVE VIDEO l TWITTER
NOTES:
LAST TIME OUT – After dropping both games of a doubleheader on Friday, the War Hawks picked up a dramatic walk-off victory in the series finale against the University of St. Thomas (Texas). Tied 11-11 in the 16th inning, junior Sam Hillyer led off the bottom half with a solo homer on the first swing, sealing the win and salvaging the series. The game lasted five hours and 11 minutes.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES – The Ozarks bring a 5-1 record into the weekend, fueled by a four-game win streak. After sweeping Westminster (Mo.) in three close games last weekend, Ozarks continued its winning ways with a 5-1 midweek victory on Wednesday against Hendrix. The team finished 16-23 last year with a 9-12 mark in conference play.
Outfielders Tyler Arco and Rey Lozano currently lead the lineup with seven hits apiece, while sophomore Blake Benson has been solid on the mound with a 1.46 ERA in 12.1 innings. Junior right-hander David Beck was named a pitcher to watch in the ASC and leads the team with 16 strikeouts.
SERIES HISTORY – McMurry leads the all-time series with a 19-6 record. Ozarks has won three of the last four games, snapping a 17-game win streak by the War Hawks that spanned from 1998-2017. The teams have split the last two series with 2-1 victories. The last time this three-game series was played at Ozarks was 2017, as McMurry won 2-1.
MORE TRIPLES – Last year, McMurry finished with four triples all season. In just six games this year, McMurry already has seven triples. The program record for triples in a season is 19, set in 2005. Catcher Reed Hodges leads the way with two triples so far.
SAM I AM – Junior utility player Sam Hillyer has brought the offense for McMurry this season, leading the starting lineup with a .440/.588/.960 slash line. He is batting 11-for-25 with three homers, one triple, two doubles, six walks eight runs and 11 RBI this season. He had the game-winning homer in McMurry's last outing, crushing a 16th inning walk-off.
IN THE POTTER'S HANDS – Junior transfer Ryan Potter has been a factor at the plate and in left field this season, starting all six games. On Saturday, he showed what he could do as a pitcher, tossing 7.0 innings of relief against St. Thomas. After allowing two runs in the ninth to tie the game, Potter dealt six scoreless frames in extra innings, keeping McMurry in position to win.
PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF – Sophomore Derek Hostas ended last season with a complete game victory, allowing just one unearned run and three hits against the Ozarks. He carried that momentum into the 2020 opener, twirling 5.0 innings with just one hit and two runs allowed…one of which was unearned. He owns a 1.80 ERA heading into conference play.
BYINGTON BACK ON THE BENCH – Long-time McMurry skipper John Byington is one of the ASC's longest tenured coaches, as he enters his 12th season at the helm. The former Texas A&M standout also spent 10 years prior as an assistant coach, making this season his 22nd overall with the program.
LEE IS BACK – One of McMurry Baseball's all-time greats made his return to campus as an assistant coach this offseason, as Byington added Josh Lee to his staff back in August. Lee was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2004 following an All-American, an ASC Player of the Year and ASC Championship campaign as a utility player.
SILVER ANNIVERSARY – After a 47-year hiatus, McMurry Baseball restored its program in 1996 and will now enter its 25th season of modern era baseball. In that span, the War Hawks have celebrated four American Southwest Conference Championships and four NCAA Regional appearances in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2008.
SEEKING A RETURN TO PROMINENCE – The War Hawks hold an all-time modern record of 577-480-3 for a 54.4 winning percentage. McMurry's tie with Schreiner this year marks just the third draw since 1996. McMurry will look for their first winning season since 2015, where the team finished 31-13 overall and made a four-game run in the National Christian College Athletic Association Central Region tournament as an independent.
