RICHARDSON, Texas – For the second year in a row in the American Southwest Conference tournament, McMurry University's baseball team has the East Division No. 1 seed on the ropes after its 2-0 win over UT-Dallas in the opener of the best-of-three series.

The War Hawks – the West Division No. 4 seed for the fourth year in a row - would like a repeat of last year when they knocked out nationally-ranked UT-Tyler. McM will get its first shot to replicate the feat at 11 a.m. Saturday morning in game two. An “if necessary” game would follow.

Game one was a masterful pitcher's duel, with McMurry's  Spencer Smith and UTD's Derek Dallas each tossing three-hitters. Smith notched his second shutout of the season. Smith had seven strikeouts and one walk, with Dallas equally as impressive with nine “K's” and two walks.

UTD had just one runner in scoring position on a fourth inning double.

In the third inning, Kory Moench led off the frame with a double and moved over to third on a ground out by Marcellous Biggins. Nick Marsh then grounded out to second base that allowed Moench to come home with what would be all the run support Smith would need.

In the seventh, Matt Thompson whacked a 3-2 pitch down the rightfield line. Connor Griffith grounded out to push Thompson over to third. With an 0-1 count, Andrew Bell roped a ball to right, but deep enough for Thompson to cross the plate with an insurance run, 2-0.