BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team received a complete pitching performance from
Madison Witherwax, however a late seventh inning rally from the Belhaven University Blazers helped seal a 2-1 victory on Saturday afternoon.
Witherwax surrendered just one earned run in the contest while facing a total of 32 batters over seven innings of action in the circle for the Lady Jackets.
Tayler Rushing followed up yesterday's performance with an identical RBI triple to the exact same spot in the outfield as the one that happened during game two to score Howard Payne's solo run of the game.
Belhaven received an equally impressive performance from their pitching staff as well and both teams combined for a total of just nine hits on the day. It wasn't until the sixth inning that the Blazers were able to get runners into scoring position and score their first run on a throwing error. The Lady Jackets would answer right back in the bottom of the inning though, with
Tayler Rushing's triple to centerfield bringing
Kodi Glosson around and tying the score back up at 1-1. The Blazers pitcher was able to force a pop out to end the inning though.
It was in the top of the seventh when Belhaven would take the lead for good. Witherwax struck out the leadoff batter but the next batter was able to single through the right side of the infield. A single up the middle of the infield would bring the runner around and help the Blazers re-take the 2-1 lead. They would hold the Jacket rally short in the bottom of the inning and close out the series with the 2-1 win in game three.
Howard Payne will now head back on the road to face Concordia University on April 13th in Austin, Texas. As is the custom in ASC softball scheduling, the first two games a part of a doubleheader slated to begin at 1:00 PM. The third and conclusive game of the series will follow on Friday at 11:00 AM.
Live Stats can be found at HPUSports.com and follow along on Twitter, @HPUHardball and also on Instagram, @HPUSports for in-game updates, interactive content and more.
