ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Softball went to extra innings for the first time in Edwards Field history on Friday morning, but were unable to complete a two-game sweep of Centenary College in a 5-3 loss to end the Abilene Spring Break tournament.

After dropping yesterday's contest by a 5-1 final, the Ladies (8-6) scored the tying run in the seventh inning with a solo homer by Erin Lewis and scored two more in the eighth for the win.

McMurry (5-4) had a strong outing from senior pitcher Nicole Pinney, who made her first start of the season and pitched 7.1 innings. Despite five runs coming home, only two were earned and Pinney retired 15 straight hitters in the early innings. Only one reached in that span on a dropped strikeout.

Centenary scored a pair of unearned runs in the first inning, as a passed ball and a miscue on the toss to the plate allowed runners to score from second and third base.

The War Hawks scored three runs in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead, as a two-RBI double off the centerfield wall by Savannah Flinn brought home Ashley McClellan and Elizabeth Battle. Later in the inning with two outs and the bases empty, Maisa Ryerson jacked a homer to left center for her first of the season.

With Pinney dealing a strong outing in the circle, Centenary came alive down to its final three outs. The solo homer led off the inning to tie things up, but Pinney would work out of the inning after that.

With a runner on second to start the final inning, Centenary took advantage and drove home two runs on RBI singles. McMurry stranded the tying run at the plate to end it.

Elizabeth Battle had a pair of hits to lead McMurry, while Flinn and Ryerson accounted for the three RBI with their multi-base hits. Mikayla Krause and Ashley McClellan also added a hit each.

Pitchers of record:

W – Cambry Bates (1-0)

L – Nicole Pinney (0-1)

S – Hailee Leger (3)

On Deck

McMurry returns to Edwards Field on Wednesday, March 17 for a doubleheader against Schreiner. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.