BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball split the day vs. LeTourneau University, winning 3-2 in exciting fashion during the first set and falling 12-0 in the second to move to 4-15-2 on the season.

Game One: 

Morgean Schultz doubled to the left field wall to start the game and Tonya Thompson laid down a bunt to move Schultz to third base. Katelyn Dickerson would bring her home with a sac fly to give Howard Payne an early 1-0 lead before being forced into a groundout to end the inning.

Kendra Evans helped keep LeTourneau's offense off the board for five full innings before being relieved by Tia Campos in the sixth. Campos went on to pitch a solid two full innings, helping to get the Lady Jackets out of a bases-loaded situation and deliver the 3-2 result in seven innings of play.

LeTourneau rallied to tie the score at two runs apiece in the sixth but Howard Paye answered right back in the bottom of the inning. Audrey Simpson led off the inning with a double to the left-center wall and Schultz was hit by a pitch start the rally. 

Thompson again laid down a perfect sac bunt to move her teammates into scoring position and Kayla Boucher brought them home with a liner to left field to give Howard Payne the 3-2 lead after six innings of play. 

Campos and the defense settled in after LeTourneau attempted a late rally in the top of the seventh and forced a double play to end the game. The Lady Jackets would get the 3-2 result in 7 innings of play to capture their first conference victory of the short season.

Shawneece Jones went 2-3 from the plate while Morgean Schultz scored two runs and doubled in the victory. Audrey Simpson was 1-2 with a double and Tonya Thompson executed to beautiful sacrifice bunts to help her team. 

Kendra Evans surrendered just five hits and two walks while facing a total of 21 batters on the day. Campos gave up just four hits and helped Howard Payne close out the game in clutch fashion.

Game Two:

The second game started off with LeTourneau committed to salvaging the day and splitting the doubleheader. They scored three runs in the first inning and one more in the second to jump out to an early 4-0 lead. 

The Lady Jackets managed to hold LETU scoreless in the third inning but couldn't get their bats going as LeTourneau went on to score seven more runs in the fourth inning and an insurance run in the fifth to force the game to an early close. 

LETU would collect the 12-0 result with Tia Campos registering the loss in the circle for Howard Payne. Bri Davis, Kayla Boucher and Audrey Simpson each registered singles for the Lady Jackets in the loss.

Both sides will meet up once again at Lady Jacket Field tomorrow at noon to wrap up the series. Links to stats and live feeds can be found at HPUSports.com and on Facebook @HPUSports.