ALPINE, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team used a five-run ninth to claim a 10-7 conference victory versus Sul Ross State University Friday evening at Kokernot Field.
Down 5-7 going into the ninth, the Yellow Jackets used three consecutive doubles to take the lead and eventually the game 10-7.
Wesley Smith (2-1) picked up the win in relief for Howard Payne allowing just two hits and no runs with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings of action.
Evan Rodriguez threw the final frame picking up his third save of the year.
After HPU's
JW Ledbetter walked and
Noah Coronado was hit by a pitch in the ninth,
Noah Payne doubled to right center to bring home Ledbetter. Next, a
Jay Holland double to right field plated Payne and Tyler Cavaness, who pinch ran for Coronado. Then, a
Cliff Lunceford double to right field scoring Holland and giving HPU the 9-7 lead. Finally,
Joshua Gerig singled to score Lunceford but was out at second trying to stretch it to a double. 10-7 HPU
Lunceford, who was 4-for-5 at the plate, singled in the Jackets first score of the game in HPU's opening at bat. In the fourth,
Noah Payne doubl
Jay Holland left field line scoring
Jacob Rodriguez and
Blake Null. Then a
Jay Holland double plated
Noah Payne to give HPU a three-run frame. Blake Nul
Jay Hollando right field in the fifth, his sixth of the season.
Jay Holland was 3-for-6 with three RBI, Bla
Joshua Gerig3-for-4 with a RBI and
Noah Payne went 2-for-3 with three RBI,
Joshua Gerig would also finish with two hits.
Seth Owen (6-1) got the no decision on the start allowing four runs on three hits and sticking out four in 3.0 innings.
Shawn Brody threw 2.2 innings of relief allowing three runs on five hits.
Howard Payne is now 19-15 overall and 8-12 in American Southwest Conference play. Sul Ross State stands at 19-15 overall and 13-6 in league action. The two teams will finish their weekend series with a double header on Saturday starting at 1:00 pm.
