'Roos Walk Off McMurry in Big SCAC Victory

SHERMAN, Texas - Kaden Stegent delivered a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a late rally and lift the Austin College baseball team to a 4-3 victory over the McMurry University War Hawks in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference action on Friday evening at Baker Field.

The 'Roos trailed 3-2 heading into the final frame but managed to manufacture a pair of runs to earn a big conference victory as they continue their pursuit of a berth in the SCAC Tournament. Carlos Michinaux sparked the rally with a leadoff walk and was replaced by pinch runner Cayd Miller, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Keaton Bradshaw. Following another walk to Jaxyn Rogers, Ryder Norton entered to pinch run. Miller then stole third base, and Jorge Villalobos drew a walk to load the bases with one out.

Tripp Thoms stepped to the plate and tied the game with a clutch RBI single through the left side, bringing Miller home and keeping the bases loaded. With two outs and the game all square, Stegent grounded a base hit to third base, scoring Norton to secure the walk-off win. The victory improves Austin College to 14-15 overall and 11-11 in SCAC play.

The dramatic ninth-inning rally rewarded a masterful pitching performance by Austin College starter Blake Skipworth. The left-hander tossed a complete game to earn the win, scattering eight hits over nine innings while striking out three and walking just one. Skipworth did not allow a single earned run all evening, consistently pitching his way out of trouble after defensive miscues behind him.

Austin College initially took control of the game in the bottom of the first inning. After the War Hawks plated an unearned run in the top half of the frame, Desmond Squalls answered emphatically for the 'Roos, launching a two-run home run down the left field line to bring home Stegent and give Austin College a 2-1 advantage.

McMurry managed to regain the lead in the top of the fourth inning, capitalizing on fielding errors to score two unearned runs. Dru Ohmstede tied the game with an RBI single and later scored the go-ahead run on a double play, giving the War Hawks a 3-2 lead that they maintained until the bottom of the ninth.

Stegent led the Austin College offense, finishing 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and the game-winning RBI. Squalls provided the early power with his two-run homer, and Thoms contributed the crucial game-tying hit. Skipworth improved his season record to 3-3 with the complete-game gem.

For the War Hawks, catcher Blake Risko led the way at the dish with a 3-for-4 performance. Adam Trevino took the loss in relief after yielding two runs in the ninth. With the loss, McMurry falls to 13-15 overall and 11-11 in conference competition. The two teams will wrap up the weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m.