New Awakenings for Softball
War Hawk softball kicked off its third season with a groundbreaking new addition. Sunday, February 15th, the War Hawks opened their season at the new on-campus Edwards Field. Facing off against Southwestern University, the War Hawks brought in a victory for game one, with a final score of 1-0. The only point of the game was scored in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Savannah Flinn hit a single to left field, a groundout moved her into scoring position and with two outs, fellow junior Emily Michki stepped up to the plate. A single into left-center field allowed Flinn to cross home securing the game winning point.
Senior Hope Schoeneman ended the first game having only allowed five hits and one walk. The War Hawks lost their luck in the second game, falling to Southwestern 9-2. The War Hawks lacked the momentum to keep up with the Pirates. The game was called at the top of the sixth due to lighting issues that had delayed the game.
Only two days later, McMurry welcomed the University of the Southwest to Edwards Field for a nonconference matchup. The War Hawks’ performance was strong with sophomore Camille Scott pitching the program’s first no-hitter game. Ending the first game 8-0, the War Hawks dominated the field. The second game was also a complete blowout, securing a 10-0 victory. Junior Kelsey Ahart scored the first home run on Edwards Field driving the ball over left-center field. All ten runs were scored in just four innings. Junior Nicole Pinney pitched the second game with just four hits and no walks.
The following Friday, the War Hawks again took home a doubleheader sweep against the University of the Ozarks. McMurry finished the first game on top with a final score of 4-0. Hope Schoeneman pitched the first game, allowing just four hits and no walks. Emily Michki helped senior Sarah Nagy and junior Ashley McClellan score with a single hit in the bottom of the third. The War Hawks secured two more runs when Savanah Flinn hit a two-run homer. The second game again saw the University of the Ozarks falling to the War Hawks with a final score of 13-5.
A best for the season thus far, McMurry scored 13 runs on 14 hits. Three runs were scored in the third inning from Senior Eva Pourcio, Savannah Flinn, and junior Cayleigh England. Senior Mikayla Krause ended the game an inning early with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the sixth. The next morning, the War Hawks came back to pull out a third win over the Eagles. A winning run in the bottom of the sixth secured a War Hawk victory 8-7. A close score throughout the entire game kept the War Hawks on their toes.
McMurry softball certainly has a bright season ahead with players looking forward to making history at Edwards field. “This is our inaugural season at Edwards field, which we have been blessed with,” said first baseman Eva Pourcio. “I’m looking forward to a great winning season. We have a lot of good transfers this year, and we are looking solid as a team.”
The War Hawks strive to continue their success. War Hawk softball will return to action on February 28 at UT Dallas.