Jackets Finish TLU Series 0-3

Lauren LaBlue, Sports Information Intern

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Yellow Jackets had an off day dropping both games of their double header against Texas Lutheran University 3-13 and 8-16 on Saturday at Don Shepard Park. 

Howard Payne had trouble waking up their bats in the first game scoring only 1 run in the fourth and 2 in the seventh. The Bulldogs were timing the Jackets' pitching with only 1 scoreless inning in the fourth. TLU had 13 hits on the game while being forced into 2 errors. The Jackets had 9 hits in the game but left 10 runners stranded and had 3 defensive errors. 

Taylor Zambreski led the Jackets on offense going 2-2 on the day. Will Garlick went 2-3 with 1 RBI. TLU's Chris Green had a great offensive game going 3-3 with 5 RBI. Cody Miller put up 3 hits and 2 RBI for the Bulldogs. 

Will Hood recorded the Howard Payne loss, bringing them to 11-12 overall and 4-4 in conference. Brad Orosey grabbed the win for Texas Lutheran improving to 16-9 overall and 5-3 in conference. 

The Yellow Jackets came out the second game with a lot more intensity. After TLU's 1 run in the first Howard Payne put up 3 runs in the second. Cale Thompson led off the second with a single to right field. 

Blake Shaffer was hit by a pitch then Ryan Breeding drew a walk. With bases loaded everyone advanced on a wild pitch scoring Thomspon. A base hit by Kyle Lloyd and a walk scored 2 more runs for the Jackets. Shaffer had a solo home run in the third to put the Jackets ahead 4-1. 

The Bulldogs put up runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth making it 4-7. The Jackets answered back with 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh taking back the lead 8-7. A couple pitching changes and 5 hits later the Bulldogs regained the lead 8-11. Howard Payne was not able to score any runs in the last two innings and lost game two 8-16. The Bulldogs out hit the Jackets 20-11. 

HPU's Thompson had a great showing at the plate going 4-5 with 1 RBI and Shaffer also with a good game offensively going 3-4 with 3 RBI. TLU had several players that hit over 500; one of those included Ryan Nokelby going 4-6 with 3 RBI. 

The Jackets pitcher Evan Henson took the loss and Tom Hembree recorded the win for TLU. Howard Payne ended the day at 11-13 overall and 4-5 in conference while Texas Lutheran improved to 17-9 overall and 6-3 in conference. 

Howard Payne will play their next game at home on Friday March 27th at 2:00pm against Sul Ross State University.
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