ALPINE, Texas – McMurry University Softball suffers a heartbreaking loss in the series finale against Sul Ross State, falling 7-6 in extra innings in American Southwest Conference action Saturday afternoon.

Sul Ross improved to (12-12, 12-10 ASC) after a walk-off solo homerun by Miranda Martinez sealed the win and the series for the Lobos. Meanwhile, the War Hawks move to (18-11, 14-10 ASC) and currently sit in the third position of the ASC West Division standings.

McMurry posted 10 hits on the day while the Lobos tallied 11. Leading the War Hawks offense was senior Savannah Flinn, who went 3-for-4 with one homerun and two RBI. Angelica Abila, Emily Michki and Kasey Woolard all added two hits in the matchup, while senior Kelsey Ahart's lone at-bat resulted in a three RBI homer.

Junior Camille Scott threw 61 pitches in 3.0 innings, while sophomore Kinlegh Stotts would finish the game after coming in at the bottom of the fourth, rounding out the day with 85 pitches through 5.1 innings of work. 

It was a day of trading punches as there where five lead changes in the bout before the Lobos were able to walk away with the victory.

McMurry jumped on the board with a quick score in the first inning off of a defensive error by the Lobos.

Sul Ross would then post two runs in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-1 lead heading into the second frame.

After a scoreless second inning, the War Hawks would hit back with a two RBI home run by Flinn in the top of the third inning to reclaim the lead.

The third inning lead was short lived by McMurry, as the Lobos would counter with three runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a two-run homer to right center from Annika Canaba.  

McMurry would then make a change on the mound, as Kinleigh Stotts would enter to pitch at the bottom of the fourth.

A double to right center by Payslee Sims would bring in another run for the Lobos in the bottom of the fifth inning, taking a 6-3 lead heading into the top of the sixth.

The top of the sixth would be the next time the War Hawks would strike again, as Ahart would send one over the right field fence for a three RBI homer to even the playing field at 6-6.

Regulation would not be enough to determine a winner as the bout continued into extra innings. 

Anxiously awaiting a breakthrough, play would be extended until the ninth inning before the Lobos would go yard to earn the walk-off victory. A solo homerun by Martinez would seal the win and the series for SRSU.

Pitchers of record:
W – Camielle Scott (2-2)
L – Jodie Vaughn (6-8)

Up next:

The War Hawks return home for their final series of the season, taking on crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, Texas, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, April 30 followed by a single game on Saturday, May 1. Next weeks homecoming will also be a celebration of McMurry's seniors. First pitch of  the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. The series finale will begin at noon.