BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team split a doubleheader vs. LeTourneau University on Friday afternoon at Lady Jacket Park. After jumping out to an early 3-0 lead during game one, LeTourneau was able to score five unanswered runs in the top of the sixth to seal a 12-4 victory. Game two was a different matter as the two teams went down to the wire before Audrey Simpson hit a beautiful line drive to center field to score Sabrina Ochoa and give HPU the walk-off victory, 6-5.

Tayler Rushing turned in a dazzling performance in both games today, both on the mound and in the the batters box. During game one, Rushing finished 4-4 from the plate with two doubles, a triple and an RBI. She was the starter in the circle for the Lady Jackets in game two and she pitched four innings of shutout softball before exiting the game in the middle of the fourth. 

Kayla Boucher hit her fifth homerun in the season with a two run shot that deflected off of the scoreboard in left field. An impressive feat considering that it came against a considerable wind that reached speeds in excess of 20 mph at times. Audrey Simpson's walk-off single in game two capped a 3-4 performance from behind the plate and Sabrina Ochoa also finished 3-4 while also scoring the game winning run.

Madison Sims started the scoring early for Howard Payne, driving in Tayler Rushing with an infield single to the left side. Tayler Rushing would return the favor in the bottom of the second when the Lady Jackets would add to their lead. Kayla Boucher led off the inning by drawing a walk and Tiffany Hinkleman was hit by a pitch on the ensuing at-bat. After Audrey Simpson moved both runners into scoring position with a nicely placed sacrifice bunt, Rushing would bring in Boucher to score with a single to left field and Rachel Hitt would score Hinkleman with another single to left field to give Howard Payne an early 3-0 lead.

It wouldn't take long for LeTourneau to respond, and they would score two runs in the top of the third. With one runner on and two-outs, LETU was able to get a runner on base with a bunt and then move her into scoring position with a steal. Back-to-back singles to right field would bring two runners around and chip away at HPU's 3-2 lead.

The Lady Jackets would be held scoreless through the next two innings as LeTourneau went on to score seven runs over the next three innings to pull away with a 7-3 lead after 5.5 innings. Howard Payne attempted to rally back in the bottom of the fifth inning Sabrina Ochoa smoked a liner through the left side to score Kody Glosson and make the lead 7-7 after six full innings of play. 

However, a five run fifth inning proved too much to overcome and the Lady Jackets fell 12-4 in 6.5 innings to LETU. Kody Glosson and Sabrina Ochoa would both finish with one stolen base during the contest.

The Lady Jacket offense started off aggressive during game two with Tayler Rushing taking a base on balls and then stealing second base to put HPU into scoring position. Kody Glosson would also follow with a walk and a Haley Slater single to the shortstop would score Rushing. Madison Sims would bring in Kody Glosson on a sacrifice and the Lady Jackets would go up 2-0 early.

The two sides exchanged scoreless innings in the second before Howard Payne was able to bring around two more runners in the bottom of the third. Madison Sims singled to right field and was standing on first when Kayla Boucher hit her monster homerun to left field and give HPU the 4-0 lead.

LeTourneau would swap pitchers and hold the Lady Jackets scoreless in the fourth before mounting their comeback bid. LETU used a three run fifth inning to pull within one run, 4-3 heading into the bottom of the inning and would go on to score a total of five run's over the final three innings to force the game into the final inning. But Audrey Simpson's walk-off in the bottom of the inning with two outs sealed the 6-5 victory in dramtic fashion for the Lady Jackets.

The final game of the series is slated to begin at noon tomorrow out at Lady Jacket Park. It's Senior Day and we will be honoring our five upperclassmes. We hope to see you all out there but if you can't make it out to the game, stay tuned to HPUsports.com for live stats and more. Also, stay tuned with all the activity of HPU Sports by following us on our social media channels: Facebook /HPUSports ; Twitter @HPUSoftball & Instagram @HPUSports.