ABILENE, TEXAS – Two contests decided by three runs or less… A series finale that couldn't have been much more even.
 
Everything and more a fan of either McMurry University or Hardin-Simmons University could ask for over Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29. After the two sides each took a win at HSU's Lou Morton Ellis Field Friday, the rubber match came down to the last at-bats Saturday.
 
The hosts sent a run in on a wild pitch in the fourth, but head coach David McNally's War Hawks answered in the fifth when junior outfielder Angelica Abila (Lubbock, Texas) drove in freshman pinch runner Morgan Faubion (Crosby, Texas) with an infield single. The Maroon and White appeared to be on the verge of taking a lead of their own later in the frame, but a ground out to first ended the rally with two runners in scoring position. The Cowgirls managed to break the tie one last time in their half of the sixth, tallying two hits and a sacrifice bunt to push across the eventual winning run in a 2-1 American Southwest Conference thriller.
 
Abila and freshman infielder Bre Barajas (Abilene, Texas) each tallied two hits to lead McMurry (22-12, 14-10 ASC). Sophomore pitcher Baylee Fulps matched HSU's pitching numbers nearly to the letter. The San Angelo, Texas, native gave up only six hits and walked only one in a complete-game outing, the sixth in a row for the War Hawks' staff.
 
McMurry winds up its 2023 regular season Friday and Saturday, May 5 and 6. Howard Payne University visits Edwards Field as part of Senior Weekend festivities.