BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team concluded day one of their three-game series vs. Belhaven University with two close, tough fought contests that resulted in 6-3 and 8-6 victories for the visiting Blazers.
Tayler Rushing hit an RBI triple to deep right center field to spark the scoring in game one for the Lady Jackets (5-25-1, 3-22 ASC) and she finished the game 2-3 from the plate with one run scored. However, a late two-run inning in the top of the fifth would help Belhaven pull away with the 6-3 victory.
Kayla Boucher hit her fourth home run of the season with a three-run shot to left center against a strong wind in game two while finishing 3-4 from the plate and scoring two runs during the second game. The home run helped spark a three run seventh inning but fell just short in the 8-6 loss.
Both teams got off to quick offensive starts in game one, scoring a combined seven runs over two and a half innings. The Blazers started the game with four consecutive Texas leaguer's. But Audrey Simpson settled in on the mound and despite facing a bases loaded situation, helped force a groundout to end the inning with Belhaven having only scored one run.
Simpson, who was also batting lead-off, took a walk and then stole second to start the game. Helping to set the tempo for an aggressive offensive inning for the Lady Jackets. Rachel Hitt followed with a single and advanced on the throw to bring home Simpson and tie the game back up at 1-1. Tayler Rushing would then triple to deep right center field and score Hitt. After coming around second base, Rushing never hesitated going for third and her aggressive play helped score the run. The RBI gave Howard Payne their first lead on the day, 2-1.
Belhaven was able to answer back in the second inning with back-to-back outfield hits scoring three runs and taking the 4-3 lead into the bottom of the inning. The Blazer pitching staff would then combine to hold the Lady Jacket bats scoreless over the next six innings and two run fifth inning proved too much to overcome and Belhaven would hold on for the 6-3 win.
Game two proved to be a different affair for Howard Payne as they were held scoreless over four innings behind some impressive pitching from the Blazer defense. Belhaven would jump out to an early five run lead behind some aggressive baserunning and timely hits.
Audrey Simpson would help spark a late game rally for the Lady Jackets when she double to right center, scoring Rachel Hitt and Sabrina Ochoa in the process to put Howard Payne within three of the lead, 5-2. Ochoa and Hitt had each hit singles and were in scoring position when Simspon stepped to the plate and delivered the deep line drive.
The Lady Jackets kept the pressure on in the sixth inning when Kayla Boucher led off with a beautiful hit down the left field line for a single. Hilary Slater doubled to left center to score Boucher on the ensuing at-bat and the Jackets looked to be making a comeback, down just 5-3 after Belhaven's big first innings of play.
The Blazers answered back in a big way though in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs on just one hit while taking advantage of a couple of hit-by-pitch moments earlier in the inning. When Kayla Boucher stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, Howard Payne was trailing 8-3 and although Boucher's home run proved to be mighty impressive given the fact that the wind was blowing in at about 20 MPH, the three-run jack couldn't help the Jackets overcome the five run deficit they had started the game with and would fall 8-6.
The two teams will be back in action tomorrow at 11:00 AM at Lady Jacket park for the third and final game of the series. Fans who cannot attend are encouraged to tune in to Facebook.com/HPUSports for live video and live stats and more can be obtained through HPUSports.com.
