ABILENE, TX - The McMurry War Hawks faced off against Howard Payne University on February 24, 2026, at Walt Driggers Field for a midweek non-conference matchup. Despite a furious offensive effort that saw the War Hawks score 11 runs on 13 hits, McMurry ultimately fell to the visiting Yellow Jackets, 19-11.
The game began with a difficult opening frame for the War Hawks, as Howard Payne capitalized on early opportunities to take a commanding 9-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The visitors added another run in the second inning to push the advantage to 10-0.
McMurry's offense sparked to life in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, right fielder
Kaden Buske launched a solo home run to put the War Hawks on the board, making the score 10-1. After a scoreless fourth, Howard Payne extended their lead in the top of the fifth, plating six runs to widen the gap.
Refusing to go down quietly, the War Hawks responded in the bottom of the fifth.
Chase Lynch delivered an RBI single to score
Rylan Stokes, and
Collin Bruning followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home
Tatum Black, cutting the deficit to 16-3.
The War Hawks' most explosive inning came in the bottom of the sixth. After Howard Payne added a run in the top half, McMurry rallied for five runs.
Nick Galloway drove in a run on a fielder's choice, followed by an RBI single from
Kaden Buske that scored
Beckham Paul.
Tatum Black kept the momentum going with an RBI single to right field. In a daring display of base running, Black stole second while Buske stole home for another run.
Chase Lynch capped the inning with an RBI groundout, bringing the score to 17-8.
Howard Payne managed to add two more runs in the eighth inning, but the War Hawks continued to battle into the ninth. In the final frame,
Beckham Paul singled to left field to score
Noah Solis.
Kia'i Sylvester followed up with an RBI double to left, and
Kaden Buske finished his stellar day with an RBI double to center field, scoring Paul. The late surge wasn't enough to close the gap entirely, finalizing the score at 19-11.
Top Performers
Kaden Buske: 4-for-5, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs, 1 SB.
Tatum Black: 2-for-6, 1 RBI, 2 Runs, 3 Stolen Bases.
Beckham Paul: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 Runs, 1 BB.
Tony Heredia: 2.0 IP, 3 Hits, 1 Run, 4 Strikeouts.
On Deck:
The War Hawks return to Walt Driggers Field this weekend for a conference series against the University of St. Thomas beginning this Friday at 7:00 p.m.
