GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball teams opened its 2023 season with double-header losses 10-8 and 8-7 at Southwestern University Friday afternoon.

Game One
HPU lead 6-1 going into the bottom of the fourth but a two-run fourth, a five-run fifth, and two-run sixth by TAMU-SA put the game out of reach for the Lady Jackets. HPU would score two runs in the top of the seventh but stranded the tying run on base to end the game 10-8.

Madison Forrester was 3-for-4 at the plate. Alexia Perkkio, Patricia Davila, and Zoie Garcia each finished with two hits.

Bree Cason recorded the loss in the start for HPU allowing 10 runs on 10 hits and striking out three.

Game Two

The Lady Jackets took a 7-6 lead with a two-run top of the sixth but single runs by TAMU-SA in their next two at bats gave them the 8-7 victory.

Forrester was 4-for-5 at the plate. Perkkio, Garcia, and Makayla Wesley each had three hits. Simonne Sanders and Elaine Gonzalez added two hits each.

HPU with 19 total hits in the game, would have the bases loaded three times and failed to score in the game.

Heather Wineman recorded the loss throwing 6.1 innings allowing eight runs on 13 hits and striking out five. Bree Cason would face one batter giving up one hit.

The Lady Jackets will play next on Tuesday at Texas A&M - San Antonio at 12 noon and 2:00 pm in a non-conference double-header.