BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team completed it's three game series vs. the University of Texas at Tyler by splitting the doubleheader with a 3-0 victory in game two but dropping game three, 13-6.
Matthew Parks picked up his first win of the season while pitching six complete innings and striking out three batters. Parks gave up just three hits while facing 23 Patriot batters and the Jackets scored two runs in the fourth inning to help seal the 3-0 victory in game two of the series.
Howard Payne fought hard in game two and held a 4-2 lead through four innings of play. But UT-Tyler responded with seven runs through the next three innings to give themselves a four-run lead, 9-5 heading into the final two innings of play. The Jackets gave up four more runs in the ninth before attempting a rally in the bottom of the inning.
Howard Payne loaded the bases and scored one run in the final inning but the rally fell short and the Jackets dropped the contest, 13-6.
Head Coach
Stephen Lynn, "I'm proud of the way our guys battled this weekend. After a close game yesterday, the guys showed a lot of resilience through their performance in the first game. Matt Parks pitched a great game and did a great job of locating and keeping their hitters off balance."
David Groves went 1-1 from behind the plate and had one RBI,
Noah Payne picked up his first stolen base of the season and also finished with one RBI.
Cliff Lunceford brought the another run around to help give Howard Payne the 3-0 victory in seven innings to start the day.
Game three of the series went on for over three hours and 45 minutes as both teams' offenses battled deep into the count over the span of the game. Over 400 pitches took place in the contest with UT-Tyler pulling ahead down the stretch after a four-run ninth inning rally.
Michael Nowak doubled to deep right field to bring around
Cliff Lunceford and would later come around to score on a passed ball. The Jackets loaded the bases for
Joshua Gerig and he took a walk to bring in
David Groves and give Howard Payne the 4-2 lead after two innings of play.
Lunceford would round the bases again in the third inning but the Jackets would go scoreless and lose their lead over the next three innings, thanks in large part to quality pitching from the Patriots bullpen. After six innings of play, UT-Tyler would go on to build a 7-4 lead.
Howard Payne loaded the bases again in the seventh inning and
David Groves came around to score his second run of the game but UT-Tyler responded with their four-run top of the ninth inning to help separate themselves from the Jackets.
A late rally in the ninth inning from Howard Payne wasn't enough as the Patriots were able to hold on and collect their second victory over the three-game set.
The Jackets will now head back out on the road for another three-game series. This time in Fort Worth, Texas to face off against Austin College in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is slated for 5:00 PM on February 28th with game two following shortly thereafter. Visit HPUSports.com for links to live stats and video and follow along on Twitter @HPUHardball and also on Instagram @HPUSports for in-game updates, interactive content, and more.
