BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team narrowly fell to #6 East Texas Baptist University 4-3 and 5-3 Friday afternoon in conference play.
In game one with the Lady Jackets trailing 4-3 with two innings remaining, Howard Payne would stand two runners in the sixth and miss its opportunity to pick up a victory.
Howard Payne tied the game in the third at 1-1 when
Celina Ortiz single to left field scored
Gaby Muniz. HPU then added two runs in the fifth to pull within one, 4-3. First a
Sabrina Ochoa grounder scored
Rachel Hitt then Muniz scored on an error by the catcher on the same play.
Celese Tirres got the loss for Howard Payne going five innings allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out three.
Tayler Rushing would throw two innings in relief.
Rachel Hitt and
Yasmine Ayala each had two hits for Howard Payne.
In game two, the Lady Jackets would gain a 3-2 lead after four scoring two in the third and one in the fourth. ETBUÂ would score single runs in the final three innings to win 5-3.
Tirres had the no decision in the start throwing 4.2 innings allowing three runs on eight hits.
Tayler Rushing threw the final 2.1 picking up the loss.
Howard Payne is now 7-9 overall and 4-7 in American Southwest Conference action. ETBU stands at 9-3 overall and 7-1 in conference play. The teams will finish out their weekend series on Saturday with a single game starting at 12:00 noon.
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