PINEVILLE, Louisiana - The Howard Payne University softball team split a double header 0-1 and 6-1 with Louisiana College Friday afternoon in conference action.

Game one was a pitcher's duel between HPU's Celese Tirres and LC's Savannah Settle. Both would got the distance with Tirres allowing just one run on three hits and five strikeouts. LC's Settle finished with eighth strikeouts and allowed two hits. 

After LC scored a single run in fourth, the Lady Jackets would get their opportunity in the top of the seventh. HPU had the bases load with just one out but a tag out a home and a strikeout ended the game.

Tirres struckout three and allowed just one run on four hits in game two of the double header. Howard Payne would record nine hits as a team scoring runs in the 3rd, 5th and 6th innings.

Rachel Hitt and Gaby Muniz scored in the third when a throwing error by the short stop allowed Celina Ortiz to reach first. HPU increased its lead to 3-0 in the fifth on a Ortiz RBI single up the middle.

HPU then expended its lead to 6-0 in the sixth on a Muniz RBI single up the middle, a walk with the bases loaded and a Sabrina Ochoa RBI single to left field.

Ochoa and Adrienne Sanchez each finished with two hits and a RBI in the game.

Howard Payne is now 7-6 overall and 4-4 in American Southwest Conference action. Louisiana College stands at 9-2 overall and 7-1 in league play. The two teams will finish their series tomorrow with a single game starting at 11:00 am.