Box Score
ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons pounded McMurry in the crucial opening of the American Southwest Conference West Division series Friday night at Walt Driggers Field by collecting 26 hits on the way to a 22-7 victory.
Hardin-Simmons' 22 runs was the most ever the Cowboys had scored against McMurry. Friday night marked the 40th time the two teams had played and HSU had scored in double digits just five times, but the Cowboys have scored at least 10 runs against McMurry in three of its last four matchups.
HSU jumped out early scoring nine runs in the first four innings, and the Cowboys were able to get to the bullpen in the top of the fourth.
Zack Hewitt gave up six runs (four earned) and lasted just 2.2 innings.
McMurry showed life in the bottom of the fourth and scored seven runs to climb back into the ball game and make it a 9-7 game.
Jeff Jackson highlighted the inning with a home run and an RBI single in two at bats.
Greg Guse also hit a two-run double.
However, that would be all the offensive success McMurry would enjoy. HSU's starter Tim Kriegel was lifted in the fourth; he gave up seven runs, but only one was earned. However, the combination of HSU's Cody Sillivent, Blake Sieck and Zach Stephens combined to hold McMurry scoreless in the last 5.1 innings. Sillivent picked up the win and Stephens threw the final four innings and allowed just three hits striking out two.
HSU's Regan Dixon drove in six runs, Taylor Berlin drove in four with a home run and Troy Tarrant had three RBI to lead the Cowboys offensively.
With the win, HSU improved to 13-6 and stays in a first-place tie with Texas Lutheran in the ASC West. Mary Hardin-Baylor's 6-3 win over Sul Ross State Friday night gives the Crusaders sole possession of third place while McMurry fell to 11-8 and is in fourth.
The only way McMurry would miss the ASC Tournament is if Sul Ross State sweeps Saturday's doubleheader from UMHB and McMurry drops both games to HSU Saturday.
The Cowboys improved to 21-17 overall while McMurry fell to 19-19 on the season. Both teams will conclude the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
