BELTON, Texas – McMurry University Baseball wrapped up an eight game road swing on Sunday afternoon at Mary Hardin-Baylor, falling 7-1 in the series finale at Red Murff Field in Belton.

McMurry falls to 8-21 overall and 5-16 in the American Southwest Conference, while UMHB improves to 16-14 overall and 9-9 in the conference.

The War Hawks scored the first run of the game in the third inning and recorded seven hits, but the Cru charged back with five runs in the fifth and two in the seventh to earn the sweep.

It took three innings for McMurry to reach a base runner, but the War Hawks took advantage of it as senior Kyle Strickland was hit by a pitch with two outs and later scored on an RBI single by Mike Gonzales.

The game eventually started to turn in favor of the home team, as a two RBI single allowed the Cru to take a 2-1 lead. The Cru added three more runs in the frame for insurance.

The top of the sixth saw McMurry in a position to rally with two on and two out, as James Martell entered to pinch hit. Martell ripped a single to center field, but Mark Navarro was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. The seventh inning also saw Javier Rosa and Gonzales reach on singles, but a double play ended the threat.

Gonzales had two hits and one walk on the day, reaching in three of his four plate appearances. The senior also stole a base. Fellow senior Sam Hillyer added a two-base hit.

Marty Carnahan earned the start for McMurry, allowing two earned runs – five total – on five hits in 4.1 innings. Freshman Jonathan Enriquez closed the game for McMurry with two scoreless innings.  


Pitchers of record:

W – Trevor Ripke (3-4)

L – Marty Carnahan (1-3)


On deck:

The War Hawks return to Abilene for four home games this coming week, beginning with UT Dallas on Tuesday, April 20 at 3 p.m. McMurry will also host Sul Ross State on April 23-24 for a three-game series on senior weekend.