Abram Choate, SID

ABILENE, Texas - Howard Payne fell, 6-3 and 4-0, to Hardin-Simmons and moved out of first-place into a tie for second-place in the ASC west division Friday afternoon at Ellis Field.

In the first game, Hardin-Simmons had three home runs which proved to be the diffenence in the game.

HPU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run home run by Chinesia Rhinehart. HSU responded with a sacrifice fly and a solo home run to tie the score.

In the second inning, HSU had a two-run home run to give them a 4-2 lead. It remained that way until a RBI double by HSU in the fifth inning gave them a 5-2 lead. HPU scored a run in the sixth inning on a Rhinehart double. HSU added their third home run of the game in the sixth.

The nightcap was a pitcher's duel until the sixth inning, when HSU scored all four runs.

HSU improved to 24-13 on the year and 16-6 in league play. HPU fell to 27-9 and 16-6 in league play. The teams will play a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.