RICHARDSON, Texas – The McMurry University Baseball team earned its first win of the season on Tuesday afternoon, claiming the 7-6 victory over UT Dallas in 10 innings in Richardson, Texas.
Making his return to the lineup on Tuesday, sophomore catcher Reed Hodges played hero, driving home senior Mike Gonzales with an RBI single in the top of the 10th for the go-ahead run. Senior Sam Hillyer came on to close in the bottom of the inning, earning his first save after 29 pitches, one hit and two walks through 1.0 inning of work.
Four War Hawks had multi-hit games, led by senior Jonah Bailey at the top of the order with a 3-for-6 day. Gonzales, Hodges and freshman Blake Beach added a pair of hits.
The War Hawks quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a big first inning homer by senior Ryan Potter. Jump starting the McMurry offense was Bailey, who singled to left center. Shortly after, Hillyer reached on a hit-by-pitch to put McMurry in scoring position with only one out. A shot over the fence by Potter would clear the bases, tallying three RBIs.
The Comets would strike back with a two-run inning in the bottom of the first, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
A few scoreless innings would pass by before the War Hawks would make some noise at the plate once more. Senior Mike Gonzales would single to centerfield to score Christian Oliver, pushing the War Hawks to a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.
Stout defense at the bottom of the fourth by shortstop Blake Beach – two put-outs – and a swinging strikeout for right-handed pitcher Marty Carnahan would protect the McMurry lead heading into the fifth.
At the top of the fifth, McMurry would strike once again. Bailey led-off with a single down the left field line, followed by a sac bunt by Javier Rosa to put Bailey in scoring position. Hillyer would single to left field to score Bailey for the RBI.
A double steal and a throwing error by the War Hawks led to an early score for the Comets at the bottom of the fifth. A triple off the back wall and an RBI would drive in an additional run for UTD before McMurry would make a change at the mound to slow the Comet rally.
Sophomore Logan Ehr entered the game with two outs and runners on first and third. A three-pitch strikeout by Ehr would end the inning for the Comets.
With the score deadlocked at 5-5 until the ninth inning, the War Hawks put pressure on the Comets defense early with a single to the right-side for Hodges to lead off the inning. With an intentional walk for Hillyer, the War Hawks would find themselves with runners on the corners and two outs. A wild pitch by UTD would then score Hodges, putting McMurry up 6-5. A groundout to first ended the rally.
Nine innings would not be enough in the battle as the Comets would answer back with a two-out solo homerun by A.J. Lui to even the score and force extra innings.
At the top of the 10th, a shot up the middle by Hodges would score Gonzales for the go-ahead run before the Comets would pull themselves out of the inning without any further damage.
In the bottom of the 10th, the Comets found themselves with runners on first and second with two outs. Javier Rosa would snag a grounder for the put-out and the win for McMurry.
Pitchers of Record:
W – Travis Beauchamp (1-1)
L – Orion Drymond (0-1)
S – Sam Hillyer (1)
The War Hawks will look to add more games in the win column on Friday, March 19 at home against LeTourneau. First pitch from Walt Driggers Field is set for 7 p.m. A two-game doubleheader will end the series on Saturday, March 20 beginning at 1 p.m.
