BELTON, TEXAS – The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets won 3-1 and 9-5 in today's doubleheader versus UMHB, clenching the series.
Game 1
The Jackets got on the board at the top of the third inning, scoring two runs.
Kayden Kelley singled to second base bringing in
Tanner Benson and
Carson Wert to make the score 2-0.
At the top of the fourth, HPU's
Joey Villarreal singled to bring in one more run, scoring Sam Lampson.
The Crusaders were able to finally get on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring one run. With no runs by either team in the sixth or seventh, Howard Payne took the win 3-1.
Tanner Benson and
Kayden Kelley led the Jackets with two hits each, Kelley also led with 2 RBI.
First on the mound for the Jackets was
Brayden Ferrie pitching 4.2 innings. He had four strikeouts and only allowed one run, giving him the win (3-0). With the save,
Bryson Adare pitched for 2.1 innings, with three strikeouts and no runs allowed.
Game 2
HPU won game two 9-5, out hitting UMHB 18-9.
The Crusaders scored two runs in the first inning, and two runs in the fifth inning, making the score 4-0.
The Yellow Jackets responded with three runs in the top of the sixth.
Tanner Benson hit a sac fly out to left field, bringing in
John Garza from third base. Next, on a hit to left field by
Rylee McGee,
Joey Villarreal was brought in for the run.
Kayden Kelley doubled for an RBI, to make the score 4-3.
Howard Payne added six runs in the seventh, with hits from
Carson Wert,
Tanner Benson,
Joey Villarreal, and a home run by
Rylee McGee.
UMHB was able to score one more run in the bottom of the seventh, but still was not enough to give them the win. The final score ended 9-5.
Starting pitcher
Gary Blair, pitched the first 5.0 innings, with five strikeouts and allowed four runs. Taking today's win,
Anthony Cook pitched for 2.0 innings, with two strikeouts and only allowing one run.
Carson Wert and
Rylee McGee led the team with three hits each; McGee with 4 RBI.
The Yellow Jackets are now 7-5 on the season and 3-3 in conference. This Wednesday, March 8
th, the Jackets will take on Blackburn College at home in Don Shepard Park at 2:00 pm.