BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team split a double header 14-5 and 7-8 to claim the conference series versus McMurry University Sunday afternoon at Don Shepard Park.
Game OneÂ
The Yellow Jackets jumped out to an 11-0 lead after scoring five runs in the second and six in third. McMurry walked in two HPU runs in the second to start the Jacket scoring and a a solo home run by
Jay Holland, his second of the season, sparked the six-run third.
After the top of the fifth, McMurry pulled within six, 11-5, but the Jackets responded with three runs over the next two innings rounding out the 14-5 final.
Seth Owen was solid in the start for Howard Payne improving to 5-0 on the year. Owen struck out eight and allowed five runs on four hits in 4.2 innings.
Wesley Smith threw the final 2.1 innings allowing just one hit.
Joshua Gerig was 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBI,
Cliff Lunceford was 2-for-3 with three RBI and
John Killough would also finish 2-for-4 at the plate.
Bailey Smith recorded a triple in his only hit.
Game Two
The Jackets battled back from an early 5-0 deficit to pull within one 8-7 after a four-run fourth inning. After a
Benjamin Lewis RBI walk with the bases loaded, a
Jay Holland triple down the right field line would score three.
Howard Payne would have several opportunities to tie or take the lead but would strand five runners in the closing innings.
Chandler Clark recorded the loss in the start allowing five runs on five hits in 1.2 innings of work. Jonathon George threw 1.1 innings allowing two runs on two hits.
Preston Newman went 1.2 innings allowing two hits and one run.Â
Brenden Clanton threw 3.1 hitless innings in relief striking out three.
Evan Rodriguez went the final frame allowing one hit and striking out two.Â
Jay Holland led HPU at the plate going 2-for-4 with four RBI.
Howard Payne is now 17-12 overall and 6-9 in American Southwest Conference play. McMurry stands at 8-19 overall and 3-12 in league action. The Jackets will have a home game on Tuesday versus Hardin-Simmons at 2:00 pm before traveling for two road weekend series over the next two weeks.
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