GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern fell to non-conference opponent McMurry 11 - 7 on Tuesday afternoon. The game saw grand slams from both clubs in the high scoring shootout. The War Hawks took advantage of early opportunities and held on to the lead for the victory.
McMurry jumped out to an early lead in the first inning after some miscues by the Pirates. An error followed by a pair of singles loaded the bases for the War Hawks. Biggins stepped up to the plate and promptly hit a grand slam to put his team up 4-0.
The top of the third yielded four more runs for McMurry. A walk sandwiched in between two singles loaded the bases with no outs. The War Hawks cashed in runners on a fielder's choice, a double, and on an error for the 8-0 lead.
The Pirates would get on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning. Cruz Luna led off with a single. Next, Heath Spencer reached on an error by the pitcher and Luna would make it all the way over to third base. Then Charlie Garrett hit a run scoring fielder's choice to make it an 8-1 game.
Thompson tripled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Lane in the top of the fourth for McMurry.
Lance Gottardy and Tyler Herriage both singled to start off the 'Bucs rally in the bottom of the fourth inning. Spencer followed with a walk to load the bases and Garrett did the same for another Pirate run. Then Nate Shipp blasted Southwestern back into the game with a grand slam to cut it to a 9-6 score.
The War Hawks added another run on two hits in the fifth inning.
The Pirates were patient at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning as Zach Lynch, Jeff Glasgow, and Tyler Herriage drew walks to load the bases. Luna brought home Lynch on a sacrifice fly to center field to trim the visitors' lead to 10-7.
McMurry added an insurance run after Thompson hit his second triple of the game and later scored to make it 11-7.
The 'Bucs were unable to muster any runners in the bottom of the ninth and the game went final with the 11-7 score.
Nate Shipp led the Pirates offensive effort going 2-5 with a grand slam on the afternoon.
Southwestern is now 10-21 overall and McMurry moves to 18-16 on the year.
The team returns to conference play this weekend with a double header at the University of Dallas on April 14th, with the first game beginning at 1:00pm.