ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team defeated Hardin-Simmons University, 5-1 during the first game of a three-game series on Friday evening at Hunter Field.

Matthew Parks pitched seven innings of nearly flawless baseball and held the Cowboys bats to just one earned run despite tallying just one less hit than the Jackets (10-9) on the night. Senior Brett Quackenbush went off for a big performance from the plate, finishing 2-4 with two RBI, a double, and a stolen base in the victory.

Both teams went scoreless until the third inning when Quackenbush's single to right field brought in Gerig and Nowak and got the scoring started. Hardin-Simmons responded by picking up one run in the bottom of the inning and Howard Payne went into the top of the fourth up, 2-1.

A scoreless fourth inning ensued from both teams and the Jackets headed to the top of the fifth with the top of their order due up at the plate. After a leadoff walk from Joshua Gerig, Noah Payne also took a walk to help force a pitching change from the Cowboys.

Quackenbush welcomed the new pitcher with a single through the right side to load the bases for Kyle Winstead. Winstead, who was starting in his first game as a Jacket on the season, singled to the shortstop and brought home Gerig to give Howard Payne a 3-1 lead.

The Jackets weren't finished yet though as Benjamin Lewis followed with a fielder's choice RBI to bring in Payne and extend the lead to 4-1 to end the top of the fifth inning. Both sides would exchange scoreless innings through the eighth until Howard Payne put up an insurance run in the top of the ninth.

Xavier Haines would enter the game in relief for Matthew Parks in the eighth. Facing the heart of Cowboy's order, he was able to strike out the first batter he faced and force a pop out to end the inning. The Jackets would start the ninth inning with the first of their batting order again. This time Gerig doubled down the right field line to start things off and Kyle Winstead took a two-out walk. Benjamin Lewis' double to left center brought in Gerig and gave Howard Payne some insurance heading into the final half-inning of the game.

Coach Lynn elected to go with Zach Moseley on the mound to start the final inning of play and he didn't disappoint. Moseley helped force a double play and then struck out the side to help deliver Howard Payne its ninth victory on the season. It was Moseley's fifth save of the season and the Jackets drew eight walks as opposed to the Cowboys' one walk.

Michael Nowak finished 2-3 from behind the plate with a run scored and a walk and Joshua Gerig scored three runs on 1-3 hitting with two walks. Noah Payne was 1-3 with two walks and a run scored and Matthew Parks struck out four batters over seven complete innings of time on the hill for the Jackets.

Howard Payne will conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader slated to begin at 1:00 PM. Live video, audio, and stats can be found on HPUSports.com and follow along on Twitter @HPUHardball and also on Instagram @HPUSports for in-game updates, interactive content and more.