ABILENE, TX - The McMurry War Hawks continued their hot start to the 2026 season, sweeping a home doubleheader against Arlington Baptist on February 3rd at Edwards Field. Behind stellar pitching and a relentless offensive attack, McMurry improved to 4-0 on the year with 5-1 and 9-0 victories.

Game One: McMurry 5, Arlington Baptist 1

The War Hawks set the tone early in the series opener, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Morgan Faubion sparked the rally with a single, stole second, and eventually crossed the plate on a groundout from Samantha Gonzalez. McMurry added another run in the second when Brooklyn Nehring reached on a fielder's choice and scored following an error during an Alyssa Hernandez at-bat.

After a few quiet innings, the War Hawks extended their lead in the fifth. Taylor McCurdy singled, stole second, and was driven home by a fielder's choice off the bat of Alexis Martinez. The offense added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning. Sophia Steele led off with a single, and Kami Owen came in to pinch run, eventually scoring on an error. Angelina Kulbeth later scored on an RBI groundout by Marissa Cardenas to push the lead to 5-0.

In the circle, Rexie Sanders was dominant, pitching five scoreless innings and allowing only three hits to earn her second win of the season. Thalia Reyes provided two innings of relief, striking out four to seal the 5-1 win.

Game Two: McMurry 9, Arlington Baptist 0

The nightcap was all McMurry from the start, as the War Hawks plated two runs in each of the first three innings. In the first, Kaelyn Rodriguez delivered a two-RBI single that scored Taylor McCurdy and Angelina Kulbeth. Angelina Kulbeth then padded the lead in the second with a two-RBI single of her own, bringing home Elizabeth Yaws and Taylor McCurdy.

The power display began in the third inning when Marissa Cardenas launched a solo home run to left field. Shortly after, Elizabeth Yaws followed suit with a solo shot of her own to push the lead to 6-0. Taylor McCurdy manufactured another run in the fourth, walking and stealing second before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kaelyn Rodriguez.

McMurry ended the game in the fifth inning via the run rule. Elizabeth Yaws and Alexis King both singled to set the stage for Sophia Steele, who delivered a walk-off, two-RBI single to secure the 9-0 victory. Sophia Garza was masterful in the circle, tossing a complete-game five-inning shutout with five strikeouts.

Top McMurry Performers

Taylor McCurdy: Combined for four hits, six runs scored, and four stolen bases across the doubleheader.

Angelina Kulbeth: Recorded three hits and two RBIs in the second game while scoring three total runs on the day.

Elizabeth Yaws: Went 3-for-3 in game two with a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI.

Sophia Garza: Earned the win in game two, throwing a five-inning shutout and allowing only five hits.

On Deck:
Softball will travel to Claremont, CA, to play Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges on February 6th for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.