ABILENE, Texas -- The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets broke through after an 8-8 tie in the seventh inning to beat the McMurry War Hawks 10-8 Friday.
Bryant Chambers (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Howard Payne (4-3, 1-0). The right-hander went 2.1 shutout innings, giving up two hits, one walk and striking out one. Anthony Cook also pitched well, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking one and striking out two.
At the plate, the Yellow Jackets were led by Tanner Benson, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a double, a home run, a walk and four RBI. Jackson Earle furnished a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. William Burford also contributed for Howard Payne, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Yellow Jackets were trailing 4-0 in the third inning when they first put runs on the board. Howard Payne's offense started clicking and put up six runs, including a grand slam off the bat of Tanner Benson.
The War Hawks then rallied to score four runs and take an 8-6 lead before the Yellow Jackets got back on the board in the seventh. Howard Payne scored twice on Jackson Earle's two-run homer, which evened the score at 8-8.
That 8-8 tie turned into a 9-8 Howard Payne lead in the eighth.
Howard Payne held the War Hawks scoreless before their offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. The Yellow Jackets scored once on an RBI single off the bat of JP Zuniga-Rodriguez, bringing the score to 10-8 in favor of Howard Payne. The score remained 10-8 for the rest of the game, as the Yellow Jackets held on for the win.
GAME NOTES
» Earle picked up three hits in the game for Howard Payne.
» The Yellow Jackets power output was led by Benson, who compiled two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Benson drove in four runs for Howard Payne.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed six runs across.
» Four Yellow Jackets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 49 McMurry hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out five.
» The Yellow Jackets drew five walks from McMurry pitching.
» Benson led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
» McMurry was led offensively by C. Turner, who went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.
The Yellow Jackets will take on McMurry in a double-header tomorrow to finish out the three-game series. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM with game two starting around 4:00 PM.
