BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team split a double header with conference opponent the University of Texas at Dallas 8-6 and 4-20 Friday afternoon at Don Shepard Park.

Game One
After UT Dallas scored five runs in the top of the first inning, the Jackets shut the door on the Comet offense allowing just one run and three hits over the next six innings.

The Jackets used a four-run third to tie the game at 5-5. Jay Holland singled down the line scoring Benjamin Lewis and the throwing error by UTD right fielder allowed Blake Null to score. Then, a Bailey Smith single plated Noah Payne and Holland.

In the fourth, David Groves had a RBI single to center field and Benjamin Lewis collected a run on a sacrifice fly, 7-5 HPU.

After a single run by UTD in the fifth, the Jackets answered with a RBI single by Bailey Smith to round out the 8-6 final.

Bailey Smith finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBI. Cliff Lunceford, Jacob Rodriguez and John Killough each added two hits.

Seth Owen recorded the win in the start allowing five runs on five hits and striking out four in four innings. Shawn Brody threw one inning of relief allowing one run on two hits. Brenden Clanton went the final two frames not allowing a hit and picking up his second save of the season.

Game Two
UT Dallas jumped out to 8-0 lead before the Jackets responded with two runs in the bottom of the third. 

With the Comets leading 9-4, an eleven run top of the seventh put the game out of reach for the Jackets, 20-4 UTD.

Cliff Lunceford and David Groves each recorded two hits for the Yellow Jackets.

Jonathon George got the loss in the start allowing eight runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings. Preston Newman, Chandler Clark, Kyle Purdes, Seth Brody and Jacob Ford all saw time in relief for the Yellow Jackets.

Howard Payne is now 15-10 overall and 4-8 in American Southwest Conference action. UT Dallas stands at 13-12 overall and 8-3 in league play. The Jackets will travel to Abilene next Tuesday for a non-conference game at Hardin-Simmons University starting at 7:00 pm.