Warhawk Baseball off to Soaring Start

McMurry’s 2021 baseball season was one filled with ups and downs. A talented team struggled to piece together hitting streaks across a dangerous lineup that despite only winning 9 games, demanded constant respect in every conference game. The 2022 baseball squad has already surpassed its win total from last season in 9 fewer games played.

The Warhawks rank 8th currently in the conference standings but will move up as more conference games are played in the season putting them in a solid position to make the conference tournament.

Nick Hammel and Reed Hodge’s hitting have been a huge part of McMurry’s resurgence. Hammel has posted a .411 batting average with 8 doubles and 20 RBIs, while also posting a .521 slugging percentage and .488 on-base percentage. Hodge has posted a .400 batting average with 5 doubles, 2 triples, and a team-leading .529 slugging percentage. The long ball has also been a huge part of McMurry’s offense with Blake Beach, Josh Dyer, and Dylan Abbott each hitting 2 home runs, while Blaze Rickerson and Xavier Escobar have each hit 1 bomb apiece. Beach has also been a menace on the base path with a team-leading 9 steals in 10 attempts.

Ace pitcher Derek Hostas has had a fantastic season with a 3-3 win-loss record, while also dealing 39 strikeouts and a complete game shutout. Braxton Briones and Nick Hammel have each posted 3 saves, while Travis Beauchamp has posted a clutch save against nationally ranked #5 UT Dallas.

Hammel has also shined in fielding, turning 11 double plays with 145 putouts and a .987 fielding percentage. Infield stud Javier Rosa has been a mainstay in the Warhawk’s defense for several seasons turning 12 double plays with 61 assists, both of which lead the team.

The baseball team posted a huge series win over national ranked UT Dallas. The Warhawks swept the Comets in all three games and stunned the second-ranked team in the conference. This marks back-to-back series wins over the Comets with last year’s team also winning the series 2-1. Three more wins on the season would give the Warhawks their most wins in a season since 2016, and a solid closing stretch on the season could also give McMurry its first winning baseball season since 2016.