McKinney, TX- The McKinney Marshals (11-16) and North Texas Copperheads (10-15) met tonight for the sixth time this season, and for the fifth time, the Copperheads came out on top with a 3-2 win.

North Texas kicked off the minimal scoring in the first inning. Joe Leftridge (Howard College) led off the game with a walk, and scored on an RBI single by Jason Krizan (Dallas Baptist) after advancing to third on Marcellous Biggins’ (Howard College) single up the middle.

The Marshals quickly answered with a run of their own. From the leadoff spot, Bryson Myles (SFA) hammered a pitch from North Texas starter Brandon Parrent (Texas A&M) over the left field fence for his second home run of the season.

Parrent pitched six total innings, allowing two hits and striking out three batters, but was not rewarded with the win.

The Copperheads regained the lead in the second inning. With the bases loaded, Biggins hit a hard ground ball that bounced off the ankle of McKinney starter Michael Clark (North Carolina State), allowing Andy Pratt (Arkansas) to score from third. Unfortunately for Biggins, the ball went right to second baseman Jason Houston (Arkansas-Little Rock) who got the out at first.

Landon Stanford (McLennan) came in for Clark in the sixth inning after Clark allowed four hits and walked six while striking out five batters.

The game would remain close until the Marshals tied the score in the seventh with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Max Lamantia (SFA) to score Zachary Ragsdale (Arkansas-Little Rock).

The Marshals had a chance to take the lead in the eighth inning. Facing reliever Michael Apple (Texas A&M), Jake Atwell (Virginia Tech) launched a two-out pitch to the left field wall, but Krizan made a jumping catch at the wall to rob Atwell of a solo home run.

Leftridge, who scored the game’s first run, gave the Copperheads the lead in the ninth with a solo home run that rode the wind over the left field wall.

Ben Hays (Arkansas) came in to finish off the Marshals with a perfect ninth inning, picking up his first save of the season.

Apple (1-0) picked up the win for North Texas, while Stanford (0-2) got the loss.

McKinney and North Texas continue their series tomorrow at 7:05 pm in McKinney.