ABILENE, Texas – Scoring a run in seven straight innings in windy conditions, the East Texas Baptist University baseball held off a late McMurry University rally to win 9-7. ETBU now posts a 17-14 overall record while they are back to 8-8 in conference play.

The offense was led by leadoff hitter Jeremy Bateman, who went three-for-four, including a solo home run. Mason Aldredge, Landen Barns, Casey Combs, Seth Mikeska, and Jonathon Sylvester would also have an RBI in the game with Barns and Combs each having two hits along with Zach Gartner. Blaine Parker was the victor with seven innings allowing five runs on four hits while striking out five. Although Chad Boudreaux pitched 0.2 no-hit scoreless innings, it was Call Florence who got the save with 1.1 innings allowing two runs on four hits and one strikeout.

McM got the first run following a leadoff double, a groundout, and a wild pitch to lead 1-0 after one inning. ETBU did load the bases on the first three batters. But they only settled for a run on a double-play groundout by Sylvester. Small ball would also play a role in the top of the third as a groundout from Aldredge led to a run scored by McAdams to lead 2-1. The War Hawks answered with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the third only to see ETBU score two runs a half-inning later. RBI singles by Mikeska and Barns made it 4-2.

However, the War Hawks would get a couple of homers to lead 5-4 through four innings. Not to be outdone, Bateman tied the game with a home run to start the top of the fifth inning. Then, Sylvester's double in the sixth helped ETBU retake the lead at 6-5. Bateman then had the honor of scoring the next two runs (one in the seventh and ninth innings) on passed balls while Combs' RBI single made it 9-5 going into the bottom of the ninth. Two RBI hits from the War Hawks made it 9-7 with two outs and the winning run at the plate. But Aldredge prevented a base hit by snagging a line drive to end the game.