BELTON, Texas - Alex Henderson had a homer, a double, and three RBI as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps baseball team won for the second day in a row to start the 2026 season, defeating Mary Hardin-Baylor 8-3 on Saturday afternoon.

CMS started strong in the second inning as Nate Seluga singled to center field, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single to right field by Jasper Shue, putting the Stags ahead 1-0. Mary Hardin-Baylor responded in the fourth inning, with T. McDaniel hitting a two-RBI double to right center, giving them a 2-1 lead. 

However, in the fifth inning, CMS regained the lead when Carter Bennett tripled to left field, and Alex Henderson homered putting the Stags up 3-2. The Stags added to their lead in the seventh inning, as Slader Spoor walked and advanced to third on Carter Bennett's double, and then scored on a fielder's choice by Dillon Martin. Bennett was brought home when Rider Gordon drew a bases-loaded walk, extending the lead to 5-2. 

Mary Hardin-Baylor managed to pull within 5-3 in the eighth, but the Stags responded in the ninth with three runs to help seal it. Henderson doubled to bring Bennett home, and Gordon drove home Henderson. Seluga capped the inning with a single that brought Gordon home, securing an 8-3 win for the Stags.

Bennett tallied three hits, including a double and a triple, while also scoring three runs. Gordon contributed with two RBIs and a hit, while also drawing a walk. Bryant Smaaladen secured the win on the mound, striking out six over 3 2/3 innings of relief and allowing just one hit, while Parker McGraw threw the final two innings to get the save.

The two teams will complete the three-game series with a 12 noon contest (10 a.m. Pacific time).