Saturday, March 29, 1997

Indians pick up first road win

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - McMurry University picked up its first road win of the season Friday, as the Indians slipped past the University of the Ozarks, 16-14, in an American Southwest Conference Opener for both teams.

Billy Byrd rapped a two-run single in the top of the eighth and Joe Lopez added an RBI single to give McMurry the win at Huie Field.

The Indians (15-9-1 and 1-0) rocked Eagles' reliever Brian Smith (0-1) for three runs on four hits to take the lead back in the top of the eighth. Indian right-hander Jeff Miller (1-1) closed out a scoreless eighth and ninth to record the win.

The game was seemingly over going into the bottom of the seventh with the Indians ahead 13-7, but the Eagles (3-10 and 0-1) rallied for seven runs on five hits to take a 14-13 lead.

McMurry took its first lead of the game in the top of the third when Joe Fichera drove in two runs on a double to left field. Lynn Boyd followed with an RBI single to left field for a 3-1 Indians lead.

Ozarks picked up four runs in the bottom of the third for a 5-3 lead, but Brad Smith answered with a two-run homer to tie the game, 5-5.

The Indians put together a four-run fifth, highlighted by Smith's two-run double and Mike Martin's two-run blast to left-center.

The Tribe added four more runs in the sixth, while the Eagles scored one run in both the fourth and sixth innings.

The two teams return to action at Huie Field today for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.

Matt Penk (4-0, 1.78 ERA) and Jim Wollscheid (0-1, 13.50 ERA) are the probable starters for the Indians.