ABILENE, Texas – After Mother Nature spoiled last Tuesday's plans, the McMurry Baseball team will now take on Wayland Baptist in an afternoon midweek contest on Tuesday, March 10 at 1 p.m.
The War Hawks look to rebound after suffering a sweep at Louisiana College this past weekend. They return to the friendlier confines of Walt Driggers Field tomorrow afternoon, where they won 12-5 over UT Dallas in the last home game on Feb. 29.
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LAST TIME OUT – Despite a three-hit day from junior shortstop Javier Rosa, McMurry (3-12-1, 1-8 American Southwest Conference) could not salvage the series in an 11-4 loss to Louisiana College. The game remained fairly close until the seventh inning stretch, as the Wildcats pulled away with a five-run inning.
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS – Wayland Baptist is an NAIA affiliate of the Sooner Athletic Conference. They bring a 21-7 record into the weekend, beginning their season back on Jan. 24. They currently own a five-game win streak, including a three-game sweep of Central Christian College in SAC play. Tomorrow will be just the fifth home game of the season, as WBU has played 24 home games already.
SERIES HISTORY – WBU holds a very slim advantage in the all-time series at 20-19, giving McMurry an added incentive to tie the series record on Tuesday. The teams have split the last eight games dating back to 2016. Wayland Baptist won the last matchup in Plainview, Texas in 2019. The last game at Walt Driggers Field went in favor of the War Hawks, as McM defeated No. 12 WBU by a final of 10-2.
TRIPLE THREAT – Last year, McMurry finished with four triples all season. In just the first six games of this year, McMurry totaled seven triples, which stands heading into the weekend. The program record for triples in a season is 19, set in 2005. Catcher Reed Hodges leads the way with two triples on the campaign.
SAM I AM – Junior utility player Sam Hillyer has brought the offense for McMurry this season, leading the starting lineup with a .333/.500/.579 slash line. He is batting 19-for-57 with three homers, one triple, three doubles, 11 walks, 12 runs and 15 RBI this season. He had the game-winning homer in a 16-inning walk-off over St. Thomas (Texas) in non-conference action last month.
SCHMIDT HEATING UP – Sophomore Ethan Schmidt has become an integral part of the infield as of late, batting .370 in 27 at-bats. With 10 appearances and seven starts thus far, Schmidt has four doubles and a pair of homers for a .741 slugging percentage. He's had at least one multi-hit game in every conference series so far, including a 2-for-4 showing last weekend at Louisiana College.
ARM WORK – With a number of key pitchers out early this season, the War Hawks have thrown 14 pitchers for at least one inning. Five of the 14 have been freshman hurlers, while four have been regulars in the offensive lineup. Marty Carnahan has become an incumbent starter in the rotation with a team-leading 21.1 innings.
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 578-488-3 for a 54.1 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.
