ABILENE - The McMurry War Hawks defeated the Hendrix Warriors 6-3 this afternoon at Walt Driggers Field, winning the series two games to one.
Hendrix went down in order through the first two innings. McMurry threatened in their half of the second inning when
Michael Smosna singled and advanced to second on a passed ball, but the War Hawks couldn't push him across.
Hendrix again went quietly in the top of the third after scratching out their first hit of the game on a bunt single. McMurry's offense came alive in the bottom of the third inning. After
Blake Beach walked and
Xavier Escobar was hit by a pitch,
Ty Nelson singled home Beach for the first run of the game.
Riley Hood followed that up with a three-run home run to put the War Hawks up 4-0.
McMurry added another run in the bottom of the fourth. Beach walked, Escobar singled, and after an error, Nelson picked up his second RBI of the day on a fielder's choice to score Beach to make it 5-0.
Hendrix went down in order in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, unable to crack starter
Hunter Poe.
The War Hawks added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Beach was hit by a pitch, stole second, and advanced to third on a passed ball. Escobar, who walked, also advanced to second on the passed ball, and Nelson picked up his third RBI of the game on a sacrifice fly to make the score 6-0.
Hendrix finally got to Poe in the seventh and got on the board. After consecutive singles and a fielder's choice to move the runners into scoring position to open the frame, Hendrix scored two runs on the third single of the inning to cut the lead to 6-2. Poe was able to escape the inning without any further damage.
Hendrix added another run in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to 6-3 off reliever
Bryson Morrill, but McMurry would hold on and win with a final score of 6-3.
Hunter Poe picked up the win for the War Hawks, going seven strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits, four strikeouts, and one walk.
Bryson Morrill pitched the final two innings to earn the save, tying the school record for saves in a season.
The War Hawks return to Walt Driggers Field April 4th to open their conference series against Austin College at 7:00 p.m.
