Clarksville, Ark.--The American Southwest Conference West division preseason favorite McMurry Indians handed the Eagles a pair of losses over the weekend in Abilene, Texas.
McMurry, who defeated the #19 Trinity Tigers 7-0 earlier in the week, needed all seven innings to upend the previously undefeated Eagles 5-4 in the first game of the twinbill. Ozarks lost the second game 11-3. In the first game, Ozarks (7-2, 0-0) struck first as Todd Koch doubled with two outs in the second inning and Brian Heckmann blooped a single over the shortstop to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. McMurry (4-3, 0-0) countered with two runs of their in the bottom of the second. The Eagles struck back in the third when Chris Harrell walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Caleb Hilton. After McMurry took a 3-2 lead, Todd Koch led off the seventh inning with a single and advanced to second on a perfectly bunted ball by Heckmann. With the Eagles down to their final out, Harrell laced a single to centerfield scoring Koch and tying the game. After Harrell stole second base on a close play, Brett Hayes ripped a shot down the third base line for an RBI double to give the Eagles a 4-3 advantage. The Indians, however, would answer with a two-RBI double to end the game. Jedd Kirby (2-1) received the loss after pitching six innings and striking out five. Koch led the way for the Eagles going 2-for-2 at the plate while scoring two runs. Hays was 2-for-4 with an RBI, Harrell was 1-for-2 with a run scored and Heckmann finished 1-for-2 with an RBI. The second game was not nearly as contested as the Eagles’ defense faltered once again making four errors. The game was close until the seventh when McMurry scored three unearned runs to take a 9-3 lead and eventually winning the game 11-3. Heckmann (3-1) took the loss. Robby Finnell and Tyler Gideon each went 2-for-4 in the loss with Gideon adding an RBI. The Eagles return to action Tuesday afternoon as they take on in-state rival Central Baptist College in Conway.
Topics: Athletics