ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball was on the verge of suffering its second sweep in American Southwest Conference play Saturday, but a gutsy effort in the series finale help salvage its series with UT Dallas at Walt Driggers Field.
With the doubleheader split, the Comets (8-4, 5-1 ASC) earned the series win. In the nightcap, the War Hawks (3-9-1, 1-5 ASC) fought back with a 12-5 win and handed UTD its first loss in conference play. Prior to this weekend, UTD swept Hardin-Simmons to remain unbeaten in ASC games.
While ending UTD's five-game win streak, McMurry ended a six-game losing skid that dated back to Feb. 21.
Game 1: UT Dallas 12, McMurry 0
McMurry struggled out of the gates against the Comets in the second game of the series, allowing 12 runs in the first five innings while managing only two hits of its own.
UTD clubbed three home runs in the win, while Carter Cochrane dealt the 7.0 inning shutout. Cochrane allowed just two hits with no walks and four strikeouts.
The Carnahan brothers, junior Marty Carnahan and freshman Mitch Carnahan, had the only two hits for McMurry in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Mitch also stole a base – his third of the season.
On the mound, McMurry got two strong relief innings from freshman Logan E hr, who walked just one batter with no hits and no runs allowed. E hr also struck out two in the final two innings.
Pitchers of record:
W – Carter Cochrane (2-1)
L – Travis Beauchamp (0-1)
S – None
Game 2: McMurry 12, UT Dallas 5
The nightcap remained a little tighter early on, as UTD jumped to an early 1-0 lead and later led 4-3 in the fourth inning. From the bottom of the fourth on, McMurry outscored the Comets 9-1 en route to the 12-5 victory.
Sophomore Ethan Schmidt got the rally started for the home team, drilling a solo shot in the fourth inning to tie the contest. The go-ahead run scored later that frame as Mitch Carnahan singled through the left side to score Reed Hodges.
After allowing one more run in the fifth, McMurry went back to work with a five-run sixth inning. Freshman Cole Riser started things with an RBI single to bring home Trent Lee. He was followed by Sam Hillyer and Kyle Keever at the meat of the order. The duo each brought in two runs with RBI hits.
Schmidt made things more comfortable after a stressful couple of innings, doubling down the left field line to bring home two more runs and make it a 12-5 contest. In the previous three innings, UTD stranded a total of five runners on base.
Despite early trouble, junior Matthew Bass earned the start and limited UTD to five runs in his 5.0 innings. With the McMurry bats working, freshman Clayton Banks tossed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief with only one hit allowed and five Ks to earn his first collegiate win. Ryan Potter closed the final inning.
Schmidt, Keever, Hillyer and Hodges each had two hit games, with Schmidt's three RBIs leading the way. All nine starters had at least one hit and scored at least one run in the 13-hit effort. Hillyer touched home all three times he reached.
Pitchers of record:
W – Clayton Banks (1-0)
L – Hunter Cheek (0-1)
S – None
Up next, McMurry will conclude its five game home stand against Wayland Baptist. That game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3 at 4 p.m. inside the gates of Walt Driggers Field.
