Lady Jackets Set School Record For Wins

Abram Choate, SID

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne softball team finished out the regular season breaking the school record for wins in a season with 29 so far. The Lady Jackets split a double header today with Concordia University Texas, 3-4 and 5-3 at Lady Jacket Field Saturday afternoon.

Howard Payne was down 0-4 after five innings to Concordia and their comeback in the final two innings came up short. HPU got three runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Kellye Wheeler and Brandi Rucker, and a bases loaded Kate McLaughlin walk. After holding Concordia in the top of the seventh, HPU had two batters walked but were unable to bring them home and loss 3-4.

Jenna Middleton got the loss for HPU giving up just one earned run. Rebecca McDaniel and Kellye Wheeler had 3 and 2 hit respectively.

Game two the Lady Jackets won in dramatic fashion 5-3 with a walk off 2 RBI single to right by Kristy Pinkerton. HPU held a 3-0 lead after a three-run third inning. The Lady Jackets held Concordia scoreless till the top of the seventh allowing three runs to tie the game at 3-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Mallory Wood flied out to center field. McLaughlin then singled to right field and then Ashley Silva singled to left field to advance McLaughlin to second. McDaniel added another single to center field to load the bases for Howard Payne with just one out. Pinkerton singled to right field scoring Silva and McLaughlin for the 5-3 win.

Melissa Hall got the win for HPU pitching 3.0 innings in relief. Kate McLaughlin also pitched 4.0 scoreless innings to start the game. Rebecca McDaniel had another three hit game for HPU and Ashley Silva and Kellye Wheeler added 2 hits each.

Howard Payne finishes the regular season at 29-9 overall and 17-7 in ASC play. Concordia season ends at 20-20 overall11-13 in ASC action. HPU finished in second place in the ASC West Division standings.

The Lady Jackets will play next in the 2009 American Southwest Conference softball tournament in Irving, Texas on Thursday. The game will be at 6:00 pm at Trinity View Park in Irving, Texas. West No. 2 seed Howard Payne (29-9) and East No. 3 seed Texas-Tyler (31-7). Howard Payne makes it fourth straight postseason trip. More information concerning the tournament will be released tommorrow morning.
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