ALPINE, Texas – McMurry University Baseball strung together a ninth inning rally and forced extra innings at Sul Ross State on Saturday, but the Lobos were able to survive for a 18-17 walk-off win at Kokernot Field in Alpine, Texas.

The American Southwest Conference foes combined for 35 runs on Saturday, which ties for the most runs in a McMurry game since 2016. That game also happened at Sul Ross – the first meeting between the two since McMurry's return to Division III.

Today's game was the series finale of a three-game set, as Sul Ross collected the sweep.

The game was tied 9-9 through three innings, but then the Lobos (3-0, 3-0 ASC) pulled ahead 17-12 heading into the ninth. Down to their final three outs, the War Hawks (2-4, 0-3 ASC) donned their rally caps and plated four runs before even recording an out. Then, down to its final out, McMurry's Dylan Lee reached on an error and plated the tying run – Reed Hodges.

In the bottom of the ninth, senior pitcher Nick Hamel kept his team alive by retiring three straight and forcing extra innings. He would do the same in the 10th inning. Prior to that, Blaze Rickerson reached on a two-out single, but was stranded.

In the 11th, Sul Ross walked on the go-ahead run, moved him over with a sacrifice bunt, then singled him home for the winning run.

Both teams utilized offense in this high-scoring affair, as the War Hawks had four multi-base hits and two stolen bases. McMurry also ended up with 19 hits, led by Hamel with a 4-for-7 day to drive home three runs.

Freshman Xavier Escobar had his rookie breakout game Saturday, batting 3-for-5 with three RBI. He also ripped his first collegiate home run – a three-run bomb in the third inning. Rickerson also had three hits, scoring twice and driving home two more. One of his three hits was a two-bagger.

Sophomore Blake Beach went 2-for-5 with two doubles. Reed Hodges and Javier Rosa also had two hits apiece, with one of Rosa's being a double. Dylan Abbott, Logan Mercer and Casey Turner added one hit each.

McMurry's scoring came in bunches – with three run innings in the first, second, third and sixth innings to go along with the five run ninth. Meanwhile, Sul Ross added runs in all but three innings.

The War Hawks hope to get back on track back at home this coming weekend, as they welcome Mary Hardin-Baylor to Walt Driggers Field on Friday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. Saturday will include a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.