Box Score

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin won its first series of the season Saturday afternoon, knocking off McMurry 6-2 for its second win in the three game-set over the War Hawks.

UTPB broke a scoreless contest halfway through the game after Zach Vlietstra walked with one out and moved to second on a fielder's choice by Nelson Quintero that was thrown away trying to get the force out at second. Michael Rice plated both runners in the next at bat, doubling down the line in right to the fence to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead.

The Falcons piled on three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, all coming with two outs in the inning. Ryne Head singled through the right side of the infield to score Brian Gustafson from second, and a throwing error on a ball hit to third by Tyler Forney scored Ryan Popescu and Head to put UTPB up 5-0.

McMurry got two runs back in the top of the eighth, scoring its first of the day on a sac fly to right with the bases loaded and adding a second run on a base hit into left with the bases loaded once again that drove in another run.

Jordan Van Atta worked another run for UTPB in the eighth after leading off the inning with a single into left past the McMurry shortstop. He moved to second on a sac bunt and advanced to third on a ground out to first and scored with two outs on a wild pitch to the back stop.

Travis Wilcox (1-0) earned the win for UTPB, picking up his first decision of the year in tossing six scoreless innings. He struck out six while allowing three hits and a walk.

Trent Morrison scored the first save of the season for UTPB, throwing the final 1.1 innings. He got the final out of the eighth on a grounder for the force at second to leave the bases loaded for McMurry and recorded outs for each of the four batters he faced.

McMurry starter Aaron Burns (1-1) took the loss, giving up a pair of unearned runs on four hits and a pair of walks in 4.2 innings.

Rice and Head led the UTPB offense with two hits each as six different Falcons crossed home plate.

The Falcons are back in action next weekend, hosting St. Mary's for three games. First pitch for Friday afternoon's double header against the Rattlers is scheduled for noon.