McKinney, TX- It had been over five weeks since the Marshals last won back-to-back games, until tonight. With last night’s 7-2 win over the rival Copperheads, and tonight’s 4-3 victory over the Texas Tomcats, McKinney is now 4-4 in the second half of the season, 14-17 overall.

The Marshals got things started quickly in the first inning, scoring a trio of runs on a trio of Tomcat errors. Leadoff hitter Zachary Ragsdale (Arkansas-Little Rock) reached on an error to get things started. Spencer Barnett (Oral Roberts) reached on a fielder’s choice, with Ragsdale beating the throw to third base by starting pitcher Tony Manville. Bryson Myles (Stephen F. Austin) brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly to right field, and was able to stay on base thanks to an error by the right fielder. Jake Atwell (Virginia Tech) singled on a bunt to third base. Manville fielded the ball, but his late throw sailed past the first baseman, allowing Barnett and Myles to score, and give the

Marshals the 3-0 lead before any batter was out.

The game would sail smoothly from there, with Marshal starter Collin Reynolds (Texas-Arlington) allowing only five Tomcat hits over six shutout innings. Nate King (NC State) kept up the shutout, allowing only one hit in two innings.

The Marshals picked up an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI double by Atwell, scoring Barnett from first. The run would end up being the key play that kept McKinney on top.

With one out in the top of the ninth, Vance Woodruff (Grayson County) allowed a three-run home run to Casey Grayson, cutting the lead to a single run. Woodruff maintained his composure, enticing a pair of groundouts to Ragsdale to end the game.

Thompson (1-2) earned the win, while Manville (2-4) picked up the loss.

McKinney hits the road next week for a four-game stretch before returning to the Dallas area with a game in Coppell against the North Texas Copperheads on July 25th.