ABILENE - The McMurry War Hawks delivered a decisive 12-1 victory in game one of their doubleheader against Austin College in seven innings. The War Hawks' offense exploded for 12 runs on 12 hits, while the pitching staff limited Austin College to just one run.
McMurry wasted no time in establishing control of the game. In the bottom of the 1st inning, after Koy Carpenter struck out looking, Ty Nelson singled, and Riley Hood walked. Collin Bruning reached first on a fielder's choice, advancing Nelson to third. Then, Michael Smosna launched a home run, driving in three runs and giving the War Hawks an early 3-0 lead.
The War Hawks continued to add to their lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Beckham Paul led off with a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Blake Beach, and then scored on an RBI double by Xavier Escobar.
After a scoreless 3rd inning, McMurry's offense erupted again in the bottom of the 4th. Nolan Scherencel singled, followed by a single from Beckham Paul. Blake Beach singled to load the bases, and Xavier Escobar was hit by a pitch, bringing in Scherencel. Koy Carpenter walked with the bases loaded, scoring Paul, and Ty Nelson singled, driving in two more runs. Riley Hood grounded into a double play, allowing Escobar to score, and Collin Bruning flew out to end the inning. The War Hawks extended their lead to 8-0.
Austin College scored their lone run in the top of the 5th inning, but an inning-ending double play dashed any further hope for more runs.
McMurry put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 6th inning. After a pitching change, Xavier Escobar was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game, and Koy Carpenter walked. Ty Nelson then tripled, driving in two runs. Collin Bruning doubled, bringing in Nelson, and later scored on a wild pitch.
Ethan Wendel started on the mound for McMurry and delivered a strong performance, pitching six innings and allowing only one run on six hits. Braydon Durst closed out the game for the War Hawks, pitching a scoreless 7th inning.
In the second game of the doubleheader Hunter Poe dominated the Austin College bats to lead the War Hawks to a series sweep against the Kangaroos with a 7-0 victory.
McMurry scored in the bottom of the 1st inning when Riley Hood singled, driving in Koy Carpenter and giving the War Hawks a 1-0 lead.
McMurry added another run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Collin Bruning doubled, advanced to third, and then scored on a single by Nolan Scherencel. In the bottom of the 6th, McMurry increased their lead to 3-0 when Riley Hood scored on an error.
In the bottom of the 7th, McMurry's Xavier Escobar hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Beckham Paul to score and make it 4-0. The War Hawks sealed their victory with a three-run surge in the bottom of the 8th inning. Michael Smosna hit a triple, driving in Riley Hood. Nolan Scherencel followed with a triple, scoring Smosna, and then Beckham Paul doubled, bringing in Scherencel to run the score to 7-0.
Hunter Poe pitched a complete game shutout for McMurry, allowing only three hits and striking out six.
