JACKSON, Miss. – McMurry University Baseball opened a three-game road series in Jackson, Mississippi on Friday, falling in both games of a doubleheader against Belhaven in American Southwest Conference play.

The first game, a seven-inning opener, resulted in a 12-1 loss. The second game ended in a 9-2 final.
 

Game 1: Belhaven 12, McMurry 1 (7 innings)

Belhaven had a five-run first inning and a five-run sixth inning in the victory. McMurry's lone run came in the fourth inning on a bases loaded walk to Kyle Keever.

Senior outfielder Mike Gonzales reached in all three plate appearances for the War Hawks, batting 2-for-2 with a walk and two singles. McMurry finished with three hits, with senior Marty Carnahan having the other.

Pitchers of record:

W – Beau Louviere (2-1)

L – Derek Hostas (0-2)
 

Game 2: Belhaven 9, McMurry 2

Belhaven added five runs over four innings to take an early lead in the night cap, but McMurry broke up the scoring in the fifth inning with an RBI single by freshman Blake Beach to score Justin Kutz.

Later in the eighth inning, McMurry scored a second run on an RBI groundout by Gonzales to bring home Javier Rosa. With a four run game in the eighth, Belhaven once again killed any hopes of a comeback with a three-run eighth inning.

McMurry rank into Brett Sanchez, who was recently named the NCBWA Division III Pitcher of the Month. Prior to today, Sanchez had a 0.00 ERA in three starts and 24.0 innings. McMurry is the first team to post an earned run on the sophomore. Sanchez finished 8.0 innings with two runs allowed, no walks and eight strikeouts.

Carnahan, Beach, Rosa and senior Jonah Bailey each had hits for McMurry, with Bailey and Rosa hitting doubles.

Freshman left-hander Kaden Sebastian got the start for McMurry, tossing 5.0 innings with five runs allowed – only two earned – and one strikeout.

Pitchers of record:

W – Brett Sanchez (4-0)

L – Kaden Sebastian (0-2)
 

On deck:

The series finale is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m.