Clarksville, AR – In game one of their doubleheader with the University of the Ozarks, the McMurry War Hawks secured a 9-4 victory in extra innings.
McMurry took an early lead in the top of the 1st inning when Collin Bruning singled to left field, bringing home Ty Nelson. Ozarks responded in the bottom of the 1st, tying the game 1-1.
In the top of the 3rd inning, Ty Nelson doubled to center field, scoring Xavier Escobar and putting McMurry back in the lead 2-1. However, the Eagles answered again in the bottom of the 3rd with a home run, leveling the score at 2-2.
Ozarks took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 4th inning. McMurry tied the game in the top of the 5th when Nolan Scherencel singled to left field, bringing home Riley Hood.
In the top of the 7th inning, Nolan Scherencel hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Collin Bruning and giving McMurry a 4-3 lead.
Drama ensued in the bottom of the ninth, with the Ozarks tying the game once again, making it 4-4. The Eagles then, with a single to left, looked to be driving home the winning run, but a great throw from Xavier Escobar to Michael Smosna cut down the Ozarks runner at the plate for the third out, pushing the game to extra innings.
McMurry broke the game open in the top of the 10th inning, all with two outs. Folling walks from Koy Carpenter and Ty Nelson. Riley Hood singled through the right side, scoring Koy Carpenter. Collin Bruning followed with a 3-run homer to left center to clear the bases. Following a pitching change, Michael Smosna homered to left field, extending McMurry's lead to 9-4, where it would stay for the McMurry victory in game one.
Game two of the doubleheader was headlined by another strong pitching performance by Ethan Wendel, with the War Hawks winning 5-1.
Ozarks scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st inning, taking an early 1-0 lead, holding the lead until the 3rd when Beckham Paul leveled the game by scoring on a wild pitch, and Collin Bruning reached first on an error, driving in Riley Hood, giving McMurry a 2-1 lead.
McMurry extended their lead in the top of the 7th inning. Ty Nelson singled to score Blake Beach. Riley Hood followed with a single to center field, bringing home Xavier Escobar. Collin Bruning then singled to left field, scoring Ty Nelson and making the score 5-1.
Ethan Wendel pitched 7.2 innings for McMurry, allowing one run on seven hits, and struck out seven. Braydon Durst pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits and striking out three.
The War Hawks complete the series with Ozarks on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
