ABILENE, Texas – Howard Payne picked up an American Southwest Conference doubleheader over Hardin-Simmons, winning 8-4 and 12-7 on Monday afternoon at Hunter Field.

In game one, Hardin-Simmons took an early 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third innings.

Howard Payne tied the game with two runs in the fourth inning on RBI singles by John Elmore and Jake Sadler. HPU took the lead for good in the fifth with four runs. Joshua Martinez and Cody Brown had RBIs and runs scored on an error and wild pitch.

Brandon Garrett had an RBI single and another run scored on a wild pitch in the sixth.

Shawn Brody started and went five and one-third innings for the Jackets to earn the win. Kyle Ramon worked the final inning and two-third for the save. Garrett, Elmore, Brown and Sadler all had two hits for HPU.

Howard Payne got a grand slam in the eighth inning from outfielder Walker Dailey to finish off a win of the doubleheader and series.

The Yellow Jackets scored three times in the first inning, thanks to three HSU errors. The Cowboys battled back with an unearned run in the second and a two-run home run. HPU took the lead back with a run in the fourth on a Dailey RBI double and HSU answered back in the sixth with another home run.

HPU scored four times in the seventh inning on an RBI single by Brown, a two-run single by Roberts and a wild pitch. Later, HSU cut the deficit to 8-7 with a three-run home run.

Shae Edmonds went six plus innings allowing five runs on nine hits. Three relievers helped finish out the game and Ramon worked the final two innings for his third save. Walker had five RBIs and was one of four HPU hitters with two hits.

Howard Payne improves to 10-10 overall and 5-9 in league play. HSU fell to 6-10 on the year and 2-6 in conference action. The Jackets will play a road non-conference double header with Dallas Christian College on Tuesday.