GAME 1 | Hardin-Simmons 4, Howard Payne 3
BROWNWOOD, Texas -- It was a nailbiter in game one, as the Howard Payne Lady Jackets was unable to push that tying run across, and came up one run short of victory, losing to the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls 4-3.
Bree Cason (6-9) got the ball to start for Howard Payne (8-13, 1-8) and took the loss. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up four runs, one earned, on seven hits, allowing one walk and striking out four.
Offensively, the Lady Jackets were paced by McKeanne Saenz, who went 1-for-3 on the day with two RBI. Makayla Fuentes furnished a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Jackets were trailing 3-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Ashley Blaylock came across to score the lone run of the inning for Howard Payne and get them on the board.
The Lady Jackets kept the Cowgirls off the board before tying it up in the sixth. Howard Payne picked up two runs when a single from Saenz brought home Blaylock and Fuentes, which evened the score at 3-3. Hardin-Simmons then scored one time over the remaining one inning to break the tie and grab the 4-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Hardin-Simmons to just 2-for-10 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 30 Hardin-Simmons hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out four.
» The Lady Jackets drew five walks from Hardin-Simmons pitching.
» Saenz led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI.
» Hardin-Simmons was led offensively by H. Henson, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» H. Williams led the Cowgirls pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
GAME 2 | Hardin-Simmons 7, Howard Payne 2
BROWNWOOD, Texas -- Kayla Camacho collected three hits, but the Howard Payne Lady Jackets fell to the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls 7-2 Thursday.
Camacho (2-6) started and took the loss in the circle for Howard Payne (8-14, 1-9).
Camacho's three-hit day led the Lady Jackets offensively. Makayla Fuentes put together a standout performance as well, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Elise Munoz also chipped in for Howard Payne, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Jackets were trailing 1-0 in the first inning when they first put runs on the board. Howard Payne pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from Fuentes. The Lady Jackets were unable to hold the lead, as Hardin-Simmons scored six times over the remaining six innings to grab the 7-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Camacho led the Lady Jackets, picking up three base knocks in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Lady Jackets out-hit the Cowgirls at a 9-5 clip.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 33 Hardin-Simmons hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out six.
» Fuentes led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
» Hardin-Simmons was led offensively by H. Henson, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
» J. Hood led the Cowgirls pitching staff, throwing seven innings of two-run ball.
The Lady Jackets will pickup tomorrow at 3:00 PM as they take on Hardin-Simmons in the series finale at Lady Jacket Field.
