BELTON, Texas – McMurry University Softball opened its American Southwest Conference series at Mary Hardin-Baylor with a pair of pitcher's duels, but were unable to win during Friday's doubleheader in Belton, Texas.
The Cru won the series opener by a 3-0 final, then clinched the series with a 4-2 win in the nightcap. McMurry will have its chance to salvage the three-game set on Saturday at 12 p.m.
Both teams are 4-3 overall. McMurry moves to 2-3 in conference play, while UMHB improves to 3-2.
Game 1: UMHB 3, McMurry 0
Jenna Lewis tossed a quality start in the series opener, going 6.0 innings, but fell victim to a complete game shutout by UMHB's Emilee Wade in a 3-0 loss. Both pitchers had five strikeouts each.
All three of the runs were unearned, as Lewis retains a low 0.70 ERA for the season. The Cru plated two in the second inning on an infield error, then one more in the sixth on an outfield error.
The two teams combined for just 11 hits in the low-scoring affair. McMurry had five of those, led by seniors Emily Michki and Kelsey Ahart with two each. Sophomore Angelica Abila added one at the top of the lineup.
Game 2: UMHB 4, McMurry 2
The nightcap was also pitching-oriented, with UMHB clinching the series with a 2-0 win.
Both teams used two pitchers, as Camille Scott made her first start of the season and went 5.0 innings with three runs allowed and three strikeouts. Rachel Williams earned the win for UMHB with 6.0 innings and one run allowed.
The War Hawks scored in the first inning as Abila doubled to lead off the game. This led to an RBI single by Michki two at-bats later to bring her home. The War Hawks had the opening frame come to an unfortunate end, stranding the bases loaded.
The Cru evened it up in the second inning then took the lead with two runs in the fourth. Michki hit a solo homer in the fifth to pull her team back within one – the team's first homer of the season.
UMHB was able to add insurance in the sixth, scoring on a wild pitch, but still had its work cut out in the seventh. McMurry put ducks on the pond with Grace Duecker reaching on an error, Michki singling and Kasey Woolard earning her way on via a fielder's choice that did not result in an out. UMHB recovered, getting a strikeout and groundout to close the door.
Michki had three of McMurry's six hits – finishing the day 5-for-7 with a homer and two RBI.
On Deck
The final game of the series is set for tomorrow at noon.
