McMurry University baseball split a weekend series with Sul Ross State University at Walt Driggers Field, winning 8-2, losing 4-3 and dominating 13-3.

In the game Friday, April 6, coach Josh Lee's team scored once in the first inning, four times in the second and three times in the third. Sophomore infielder Riley Hood (Abilene, Texas) singled to left field in the first for a RBI, junior infielder Ty Nelson (Scottsdale, Arizona) advanced to second base and junior outfielder Koy Carpenter (La Vernia, Texas) scored. In the second, Nelson walked, Carpenter advanced to third and junior outfielder Xavier Escobar (Buda, Texas) went home on a wild pitch. Hood then singled to left field for a RBI, Nelson advanced to second and Carpenter scored. Still in the second, sophomore catcher Michael Smosna (Lubbock, Texas) doubled to right field for a 2 RBI, sending Hood and Nelson home. In the third, junior infielder Blake Beach (Atascocita, Texas) reached first on an error by the pitcher for a sacrifice, and junior outfielder Casey Turner (Kingwood, Texas) and junior infielder Josh Dyer (Albany, Texas) both scored. Beach then crossed home plate on an error by the first baseman. McMurry collected eight hits with contributions from Carpenter (2), Hood (2), Smosna, Turner (2), Beach and Escobar (2).

Freshman lefty Braydon Durst (Fredericksburg, Texas), who threw seven innings and struck out five batters, got the win. Sophomore lefty Trey Gomez (Abilene, Texas) came in relief for two innings and struck out two.

In the first game Saturday, April 7, both teams scored one run in the first, the opponent scored one run in the fourth, McMurry outscored the opponent 2-1 in the fifth, but the opponent got another run in the seventh. Smosna singled to left field in the first for a RBI, scoring Hood. In the fifth, Turner grounded out to the shortstop for a RBI, Smosna advanced to third and Hood crossed home plate. Smosna then scored on a passed ball. McMurry had seven hits with contributions from Hood, Smosna (2), Turner, junior infielder Josh Mueller (Stamford, Texas), and Escobar (2). Hood and Beach both stole a base.

Freshman righty Ethan Wendel (Louise, Texas), who threw 6.2 innings and struck out five, was given the loss.

In Saturday's second game, ended in the seventh by the 10-run rule, McMurry scored twice in the first, once each in the second and third, six times in the fourth, twice in the fifth and once in the sixth. Junior infielder Nolan Scherencel (Arlington, Texas) singled to left field in the first for a 2 RBI, Smosna advanced to second, and Hood and Carpenter both scored. In the second, Carpenter grounded out to second base for a RBI, sending Beach home. In the third, Smosna singled to second base for a RBI and Hood crossed home plate. A scoring barrage in the fourth started when Carpenter reached first on an error by the second baseman for a 2 RBI, sending both Escobar and Beach home. Hood then singled to left field for a RBI, Nelson went to second and Carpenter scored. Still in the fourth, Scherencel singled to right field for a 2 RBI, freshman catcher/pitcher Tanner Hollis (Pleasanton, Texas) advanced to third, and Hood and Nelson both scored. Also in the fourth, Turner lined out to right field for a sacrifice RBI and Hollis crossed home plate. In the fifth, Nelson doubled to center field for a RBI, sending Carpenter home. Smosna also doubled to center field for a RBI and Nelson scored. In the sixth, Turner put an exclamation mark on the third game with a homer. McMurry got 13 hits with contributions from Nelson (3), Hood (2), Smosna (2), Scherencel (2), Turner, Beach (2), and Escobar. The home team stole a whopping eight bases – three by Beach, two each by Hood and Smosna, and one by Escobar.

Sophomore righty Hunter Poe (Midland, Texas), who threw five innings and struck out five, evened his record at 4-4. Sophomore righty Will Cooper (Del Rio, Texas) threw two innings in relief and struck out two.

The games don't count in the American Southwest Conference standings because the opponent is reclassifying to Division 2.

McMurry, 15-14 overall and 7-8 in conference, plays a non-conference game at Trinity University in San Antonio at 5 p.m. Tuesday.