BROWNWOOD, Texas- The Howard Payne University baseball team finished its series with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a 5-4 victory on Saturday afternoon at Don Shepard Park. The Yellow Jackets lost game one 7-5.
Game One
Mary Hardin-Baylor got off to a quick start scoring three runs in the first two innings. Howard Payne tied the game in the third inning. The Jackets scored two runs on a
Joey Villarreal single that plated
Jonathan McKay and
Anthony Cook.Â
HPU took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring two runs on a
Jonathan McKay double that plated
Anthony Cook and
Nolyn Box.
The Cru answered with three runs in the fifth inning to take the 6-5 lead. UMHB extended their lead to two in the sixth inning. Howard Payne was unable to answer, dropping the game 7-5.
Rylee McGee went 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI.
Chandler Paul (0-4) recorded the loss in the start for HPU. Paul went 4.1 innings allowing six runs on six hits and striking out one. Landon Blass and Harlee Bigs both saw time in relief.Â
Game Two
Mary-Hardin Baylor got on the board first, scoring two runs in the sixth inning. Howard Payne answered in the bottom of the sixth.
Jonathan McKay scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-1.
The Cru increased their lead to two in the top of the eighth. The Yellow Jackets scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to take the 5-3 lead going into the ninth inning.
The Yellow Jackets were able to hold off the Cru, claiming the 5-4 victory.
Jonathan McKay went 2-for-3 at the plate, and
Tanner Benson went 2-for-4.
Joey Villarreal,
Derek Gifford,
Taylor Griner, and
Nolyn Box each had 1 RBI.Â
Kyle Purdes (1-3) recorded the win in the start for HPU. Purdes threw eight innings, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out five.
Xavier Haines recorded the save, allowing one run on three hits.
Howard Payne is now 5-18 overall and 2-16 in conference play. Mary Hardin-Baylor is 13-13 overall and 6-9 in conference play. The Yellow Jackets will play Hardin Simmons in a three-game series in Brownwood, Texas, starting on Friday April 16th.Â