BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team used a four-run seventh inning to defeat Hardin-Simmons University 7-4 Tuesday afternoon at Don Shepard Park.

Down 3-0 at the end of the third, the Yellow Jackets scored seven unanswered runs, three in the fourth and four in the seventh to claim the 7-3 non-conference victory.

In the fourth, the Jackets scored when Jacob Rodriguez reached on a throwing error allowing Blake Null to come home. Next a John Killough sacrifice fly plated Hunter Bazan and then a Cliff Lunceford single up the middle scored Jacob Rodriguez. Game tied at 3-3.

Then in the seventh, Benjamin Lewis singled to center field to score Cliff Lunceford and Jay Holland. Blake Laney then singled to right field to bring home Noah Payne and later Jacob Rodriguez reached on a fielding error allowing Lewis to score. 

Wesley Smith recorded the win in relief throwing 1.2 innings allowing just one hit and striking out one. Chandler Clark went 3.0 innings in the start allowing three runs on four hits and striking out three.

Also in relief, Kyle Purdes threw 3.0 innings allowing just two hits with two strikeouts and Kory Owen would face two batters. Evan Rodriguez threw the final 1.1 innings allowing just one hit and picking up his second save of the season.

HPU's Benjamin Lewis was 2-for-4 with two RBI and Cliff Lunceford was 2-for-5 on the day at the plate.

Howard Payne is now 10-4 overall and Hardin Simmons falls to 7-10 on the year. The Yellow Jackets will have a home weekend conference series next versus the University of the Ozarks. Friday will be a double header starting at 1:00 pm and a single game on Saturday starting at 1:00 pm.