Jackets Split Day 2 Double-Header With USW

Taylor Zambreski (#2) and Blake Shaffer (#11) combined for 10 hits and 7 RBI in the Saturday double-header

Lauren LaBlue, Sports Information Intern

BROWNWOOD, Tx – Howard Payne took two out of three from University of Southwest, splitting on day two with a 5-4 win and a tough fought 17-20 loss on Tuesday at Don Shepard Park.

In game two of the series the Yellow Jackets and the Mustangs both put up one run in the first inning. With two back to back scoreless innings the Jackets came out swinging in the fourth, started by a Taylor Zambreski double and an RBI single by Garret Isom. Southwest answered back in the top of the fifth with three runs of their own but the Jackets finished off the game in the bottom of the 7th with a game winning RBI by Blake Shaffer.

Even Henson was the winning pitcher for the Jackets and Matt Peoples took the loss for the Mustangs. Zambreski went 2-2 with an RBI while Shaffer and Cale Thompson both went 1-2 with an RBI.

The last game of the series was an all out offensive battle. Howard Payne only had one scoreless inning. Southwest put up ten runs in the first two innings and the Jackets put up seven. The Yellow Jackets held the Mustangs to one run in the third allowing them time to close the gap 9-11 with a two-run homer by Zambreski.

Howard Payne tied the game 15-15 in the bottom of the fifth stringing together five hits scoring four. Struggling on the mound the Jackets gave up another five-run inning in the top of the sixth to give the Mustangs back the lead. Howard Payne's 19 hits were not enough to grab the win over Southwest's 22 hits.

After using six pitchers Chase LaPenna took the loss for the Jackets and Andy Henning got the win for Southwest. Everyone one had a great day at the plate for the Jackets. Zambreski was 3-3 with 2 RBI and a homer, and Shaffer was 4-5 while recording 3 RBI. Both Kyle Lloyd and Isom went 3-5 while Lloyd led the team in RBI with 5.

The Yellow Jackets will play their next game on Thursday, March 5th at 2:00pm at home against Adrian College.

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