ABILENE, TX – The McMurry University softball team faced off against crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons on Tuesday evening at Edwards Field. Despite a late-inning rally, the War Hawks (4-5-1) fell to the Cowgirls 9-5 in non-conference action.
McMurry struck first in the bottom of the first inning. After
Morgan Faubion drew a walk and stole third,
Reaghan Staehely singled to center field to drive her in, giving the War Hawks an early 1-0 lead.
Hardin-Simmons responded in the top of the third with a four-run burst, highlighted by a three-run home run. The War Hawks fought back in the bottom half of the frame.
Taylor McCurdy walked and stole second before Faubion singled to move her to third. Staehely then hit a sacrifice fly to score McCurdy, and
Elaina Herrera followed with an RBI single to bring home Faubion, narrowing the deficit to 4-3.
The Cowgirls broke the game open in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits and a McMurry error to extend their lead to 8-3. They added an insurance run in the top of the seventh to make it 9-3.
Refusing to go quietly, McMurry staged a final rally in the bottom of the seventh.
Angelina Kulbeth led off with a single, followed by a walk to McCurdy and a single by Faubion to load the bases.
Sophia Steele then delivered an RBI single to score Kulbeth. With the bases still loaded,
Elaina Herrera hit a sharp single that scored McCurdy and allowed Faubion to cross the plate on an ensuing error, bringing the score to 9-5. However, the comeback fell short as the Cowgirls recorded the final out to secure the win.
Top Performers
Morgan Faubion: Went 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Elaina Herrera: Finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, including a clutch run-scoring single in the seventh-inning rally.
Reaghan Staehely: Tallied two RBI on the day, recording a first-inning RBI single and a third-inning sacrifice fly.
Angelina Kulbeth: Recorded a hit and a run scored while maintaining a steady presence at the top of the lineup.
On Deck
McMurry returns to Edwards Field to host LeTourneau in a SCAC series this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
