Georgetown (February 10, 2012) -- The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor baseball team jumped out to an early lead and never looked back on the way to an 8-4 victory over Southwestern University Friday afternoon in Georgetown. The Cru evens its record at 8-4 on the season with the victory. The Pirates drop to 0-5 on the year with the loss.

UMHB took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Chris Joshlin singled home a run and Zach Young stole home on a double steal. Chris Florack added a two-run double in the top of the third and Josh Fredrick added a sacrifice fly as UMHB pushed the lead to 5-0. The Pirates cut it to 5-3 with a single run in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the sixth. Seth Mogavero’s RBI groundout made it 6-3 Cru in the top of the seventh. Southwestern added a run in the bottom of the eighth, but Mogavero provided some breathing room with a two-run double in the top of the ninth.

Cameron Arnett scattered three hits and allowed just one earned run in five and a third innings of work to earn the win for UMHB. Joshlin went 4-4, Florack had three hits and Mogavero drove in three runs to lead the Cru offense. Lance Gottardy had two of Southwestern’s five hits and Matt Stuart took the loss after giving up six hits and five runs in five innings.

The two teams will resume the series tomorrow in Belton. UMHB will host the Pirates for a noon doubleheader at Red Murff Field.

The McLennan Highlanders defeated the Odessa Wranglers 14-5 today at Bosque River Ballpark.

Odessa began the scoring with three runs in the top of the first. Alexis Rodriguez drew a lead off walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by A.D. Hinojos. Edwin Vasquez then singled. Both runners advanced on a passed ball. Another passed ball brought Rodriguez in to score and put Hinojos on third. Jose Martinez then singled to score Hinojos. Jacoby Middleton reached first safely on an error to move Martinez to second. Derek Tyner followed with a single, scoring Martinez.

The Wranglers added two runs in the second. Nate Reyes and Rodriguez drew back-to-back walks. Vasquez then doubled to clear the bases.

MCC got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the second. Matt Hilston led off with a single. Reid Coover was safe at first on a fielder's choice that put Hilston out at second. Colin Semler followed with a single. Quinten Davis then singled to score Coover and move Semler to third. Semler then scored on a passed ball.

The Highlanders added two runs in the third. Ty Marlow singled and Hilston drew a walk. Both runners scored on a double by Coover.

MCC tied the game with one run in the fourth. Semler led off with a single. Davis then reached safely on an error, advancing Semler to second. Brett Thornell hit into a double play that moved Semler to third. Semler then scored on a single by Jonathan Mejia.

The Highlanders took the lead with two runs in the fifth. Hilston was hit by the pitch to lead off the inning and Coover singled. Dalton Rodriguez then hit a fielder's choice that put Hilston out at third. Coover advanced to third on a passed ball. Davis then reached first and advanced to second on an Odessa error that allowed Coover and Rodriguez to score.

MCC added three more runs in the sixth. Mejia and Max Farmer both walked. Hilston then tripled down the right field line to clear the bases.

The Highlanders increased the lead to 11-5 with one run in the seventh. Marlow led off with a double. Mejia then doubled to score Marlow.

MCC rounded out the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Rodriguez reached first safely on an error and Semler singled. Davis followed with a single to score Rodriguez. Thornell then doubled to score Semler; and Davis scored on an error.

The two teams will complete the three-game series with a doubleheader at noon tomorrow.