ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball had the bats working in two high-scoring affairs on Tuesday at Walt Driggers Field, as the War Hawks earned two thrilling wins over Schreiner University in a non-conference twin bill.

McMurry (4-14) totaled 21 hits on the day, while Schreiner (7-15) had 23 in two close games. McMurry won 11-8 in the opener and 12-11 in the nightcap.

Both teams had to rally from large deficits, with McMurry overcoming a 7-2 deficit to score nine runs in the fourth and fifth inning. In game two, the War Hawks led 12-1 and held off 10 unanswered runs from the Mountaineers to win 12-11.

Coming into the game with nine homers all season, McMurry smashed seven homers in its two games today. Josh De La Rosa and Mike Gonzales each had two homers – one per game – while Ryan Potter, Nick Hamel and Marty Carnahan all went yard once.

Game 1 Recap: McMurry 11, Schreiner 8
The Mountaineers came out the gate firing at the plate, posting four runs off of four hits in the first inning.

The War Hawks responded quickly with two runs in the bottom of the first from a base clearing two RBI single to the left side by junior Nick Hamel.

Schreiner would tack on another three runs at the top of the third inning to increase the Mountaineer lead to 7-2, but the War Hawks quickly woke up after that and would not look back.

After a three and out at the top of the fourth for Schreiner, McMurry climbed its way back into the matchup with an RBI single from Mike Gonzales followed by a three RBI homer by Hamel.

That wouldn't be the end of the rally as McMurry carried the fire from the fourth over into the fifth inning, posting five more runs on six hits. Marty Carnahan, Josh De La Rosa and Gonzales all sent one out the park in the fifth while Blake Beach doubled home a run to put McMurry in the lead, 11-7. De La Rosa's homer marks his first career hit and homer as a War Hawk.

Prior to the rally, senior pitcher Matthew Bass entered and held off the Schreiner with 3.0 scoreless innings on the bump. This allowed McMurry to retake the lead and Bass to eventually earn the win.

Schreiner would put up one more run at the top of the sixth inning before McMurry was able to close it out for the win. Freshman Reid Brock allowed the lone run, but kept his team ahead for the hold.

Senior Sam Hillyer entered in the seventh from right field to pitch and shut down the Mountaineers for the save. It did not come easy, entering with an 11-8 lead and allowing three hitters to reach with a single and two walks. He forced two-out a fly out to strand the tying run on base.

Both Hamel and Gonzales went 3-for-4 and posted a combined seven RBI in the matchup. De La Rosa register two RBIs while Carnahan and Blake Beach both had one. Hamel nearly completed the cycle, lacking only a triple to complete the package.

McMurry recorded a season high 11 RBI and four home runs against the Mountaineers in the early window. Additionally, the War Hawks totaled 13 hits while Schreiner added 11 in the contest.

Pitchers of record:
W – Matthew Bass (1-1)
L – Christopher Rodriguez (0-1)
S – Sam Hillyer (1)
 
Game 2 Recap: McMurry 12, Schreiner 11
McMurry dominated most of the way in the nightcap, leading 12-1 in the middle innings, but a 10-run rally by Schreiner put the pressure on in the sixth and seventh innings. Nonetheless, McMurry stranded the tying run on base once again to prevail and secure the sweep.

With the lead trimmed down to 12-10 following a pair of sixth inning runs and a seven-run rally by the road side, McMurry summoned senior Ryan Potter from left field to the pitcher's mound. With a runner on second, Potter allowed an RBI single to score a run and another single to put runners on the corners with two out. Only down one run, momentum rode with the third base dugout.

But none of this fazed McMurry's Californian closer.

Potter finished off the next batter with a swinging strikeout, firing up the home dugout with a thrilling win. He picked up his first save of the season in the outing.

Fellow senior Marty Carnahan started the contest on the mound, tossing a quality start with three runs allowed through six innings. Carnahan, who worked a one-run game into the sixth, scattered five hits with one walk and a career-best eight strikeouts.

Schreiner plated an early run the first inning, scoring Jeffrey Williams off of an RBI single by Reese Hohhertz.  

It wasn't until the third inning when McMurry would break through, plating five runs on four hits including a three RBI homer by Potter. McMurry would add a solo score in the fourth with a sac fly by senior Kyle Strickland to bring in De La Rosa. 

Leading the Mountaineers 5-1 in the bottom of the fifth, Gonzales smashed his second home run of the day with a solo shot to right center. Riding the rally train, De La Rosa would also add his second homer of the night, racking up three more RBI and pushing the War Hawks to a 10-run lead.

Mitch Carnahan would score on a wild pitch to bring in the 12th run for McMurry before the Mountaineers were able to end the fifth inning.

Schreiner was able to plate two runs in the top of the sixth followed by a massive eight run surge at the top of the seventh, nearly evening the score before McMurry was able to close out the night cap for the win.

Potter and De La Rosa led the War Hawk offense, as both went 2-4 with three RBI apiece.

McMurry posted eight hits while Schreiner recorded 12 in the comeback effort.

Pitchers of record:
W – Marty Carnahan (1-1)
L – Matthew Rendon (0-1)
S – Ryan Potter (1)
 
On deck:
The War Hawks jump back into conference play on Thursday, April 1 at home against Howard Payne. First pitch from Walt Driggers Field is set for 7 p.m. A two-game doubleheader will end the series on Friday, April 2 beginning at 1 p.m.