Warhawks nip Jackets

Ryan Klose squares up one of four hits of day

Lane Garrett, HPU Sports Information Intern

BROWNWOOD, Texas – The Howard Payne University baseball team allowed three runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to pass home, giving up their two-run lead to lose 6-9 to McMurry University Friday afternoon at Don Shepard Park.

Both teams came in tied for the fifth spot in the American Southwest Conference West Division standings at 5-7, trailing Sul Ross State and Texas Lutheran University at 6-6 in conference play. 

After being down 0-4 in the forth, the Jackets would score six unanswered runs with two runs in the forth, fifth and sixth innings to take the 6-4 lead. The McMurry University Warhawks fought back, scurrying in three runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth inning to take the lead for good. 

Designated hitter Ryan Klose had a big day for the Jackets, going 4 of 5 at the plate with two doubles and two RBI's. Senior first baseman Taylor Zambreski also had an impressive day going 3 of 4 at the plate, scoring two runs and one RBI. 

The Warhawks came out of the gates quickly, scoring two runs in the third and forth innings. In the forth, Brian Durst came through big with the bases loaded, hitting a ball straight up the middle, scoring two runs and giving McM the 4-0 lead. 

The Jackets answered back in the bottom of the inning with two of their own. The second run came when Sam Dollahite singled into right field scoring Carlton Brown from third after a wild pitch. 

In the fifth, three straight singles from Jordan Hammontree, Zambreski, and Klose scored the first run of the inning. Later Chase Holmes would single to right field scoring Zambreski to tie the game up at four. 

The lead would switch hands in the sixth with a two out rally with Ryan Abbott walking, another Hammontree single, and another Zambreski RBI single to right center.

In the seventh, eight and ninth the Jacket offense halted managing just one hit, stranding four runners on base. 

McMurry led off the eight with a triple to left center from Dylan DeLeon, who would later score on a fielders choice ground out. Later the Warhawks would load the bases, and score on a wild pitch to tie the game up at six. Then pinch hitter Jacob Bermejo would come through and hit a single into left field to score the third run of the inning to break the tie and take the lead 7-6, scoring Clay Schunbert.

In the ninth, McM would score two more insurance runs and ice the game 6-9.

Robert Anders would endure the loss for the Jackets, throwing four innings and striking out three batters, but allowing four hits and three big earned runs. 

The Jackets go to 10-17 overall and 5-8 in the American Southwest Conference. The Warhawks move to 9-20 overall and 6-7 in the ASC. 

The next games for the Jackets will be in a double header starting at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Don Shepard Park against McMurry in a battle for the forth and final playoff spot in the West Division of the ASC.
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