War Hawks Out-Duel Howard Payne in 10 Innings
By: Matt Roberts
Updated: March 30, 2012
ABILENE, Texas - McMurry
University worked overtime and made it pay, topping Howard Payne
University, 1-0, in 10 innings in an American Southwest Conference West
Division contest at Walt Driggers Field.
The game was the second extra-inning contest of the year for the War Hawks, who evened their season record at 14-14 and improved to 8-2 in the ASC West. McM also went 10 innings versus Sul Ross State on March 16, emerging with an 8-7 win.
It was also the War Hawks' second shutout of the year. McM blanked East Texas Baptist, 5-0, back on March 2.
In McMurry's half of the 10th, Ruben Zendejas grounded out to second to open the frame. Brian Durst then followed with a single up the middle.
Nick Marsh - the hero of the War Hawks' last extra-inning win - delivered a double to left-center with Durst putting on the brakes at third. Dylan DeLeon then ripped a ball right at second base for the second out of the inning.
That brought up first baseman Matt Thompson. Thompson worked the count to 2-2 and hit a towering foul down the left field line that the Yellow Jackets' Ryan Abbott appeared to have a chance to catch. However, Abbott crashed into the bullpen fence about the same time the ball arrived, forcing a drop and giving Thompson new life.
On the very next pitch, Thompson slapped the ball up the middle. HPU's Dustin Cole ranged to his right, gloved the ball going away. Cole had to re-set himself and was unable to get Thompson at first, while Durst crossed the plate with the only run of the night to give McMurry the victory.
Thompson and Durst both went 2-for-5 on the night.
McMurry starter Spencer Smith went a strong eight innings, scattering five hits. He walked three and struck out five.
Caleb Gonzales pitched two innings of hitless relief to gain his second win (2-1) of the year.
The game was the second extra-inning contest of the year for the War Hawks, who evened their season record at 14-14 and improved to 8-2 in the ASC West. McM also went 10 innings versus Sul Ross State on March 16, emerging with an 8-7 win.
It was also the War Hawks' second shutout of the year. McM blanked East Texas Baptist, 5-0, back on March 2.
In McMurry's half of the 10th, Ruben Zendejas grounded out to second to open the frame. Brian Durst then followed with a single up the middle.
Nick Marsh - the hero of the War Hawks' last extra-inning win - delivered a double to left-center with Durst putting on the brakes at third. Dylan DeLeon then ripped a ball right at second base for the second out of the inning.
That brought up first baseman Matt Thompson. Thompson worked the count to 2-2 and hit a towering foul down the left field line that the Yellow Jackets' Ryan Abbott appeared to have a chance to catch. However, Abbott crashed into the bullpen fence about the same time the ball arrived, forcing a drop and giving Thompson new life.
On the very next pitch, Thompson slapped the ball up the middle. HPU's Dustin Cole ranged to his right, gloved the ball going away. Cole had to re-set himself and was unable to get Thompson at first, while Durst crossed the plate with the only run of the night to give McMurry the victory.
Thompson and Durst both went 2-for-5 on the night.
McMurry starter Spencer Smith went a strong eight innings, scattering five hits. He walked three and struck out five.
Caleb Gonzales pitched two innings of hitless relief to gain his second win (2-1) of the year.
