Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz. – The Howard Payne University baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Gustavus Adolphus College Friday at the Tucson Invitational, dropping game one 3-2 and winning game two 12-3. 

Gustavus 3, Howard Payne 2
Up 2-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, Howard Payne gave up a two-run double to drop the first game 3-2.

The Yellow Jackets scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to gain their 2-1 advantage. In the fourth, a Blake Laney sac bunt scored Joshua Gerig who had reached on a walk. In the fifth, it was a Bailey Smith sac fly to right field that scored JW Ledbetter.

Dylan Vilaros had an excellent outing in the start for the Jackets throwing 6.2 innings in the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out eight.

Howard Payne 12, Gustavus 3
A five-run third inning for the Yellow Jackets broke open the game, while the Howard Payne defense and pitching staff limited Gustavus to three runs in the second inning.

Wesley Smith went one inning in the start for the Jackets. Shawn Brody would pick up the win in relief throwing four innings. Corey Owen threw 2/3 inning on the mound, Kyle Purdes went one inning, and Ethan Cerna threw the final 1/3 inning of the game.

HPU's Blake Null went 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBI. Cliff Lunceford was 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.

Howard Payne is now 6-2 overall and will play Wheaton College and Rockford University on day two of the Tucson Invitational.