BROWNWOOD, TX - The Howard Payne University softball team split a double-header versus Sul Ross State winning game one 12-1 and losing game two 7-8 on Friday in Alpine, Texas. 

With the start in game one, Bree Cason now holds the record for most career starts with 71. Cason surpasses Tiffany Wolfe who previously held the record at 70 (2003-2006). 

GAME 1 | Howard Payne 12, Sul Ross State 1

Sophomore Makayla Fuentes and junior Elise Munoz each racked up two extra base hits to help lead the Howard Payne Lady Jackets past the Sul Ross State Lobos 12-1 in game one.

Senior Bree Cason (9-12) got the win for Howard Payne (12-20). The right-hander went five innings, giving up one run on six hits, allowing three walks and striking out one.

Munoz's two extra base hits were the highlight of a 2-for-3 day, and included a double, a home run, a walk and four RBI. Fuentes made her contribution with a double, a home run, a walk and three RBI, part of a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Sophomore McKeanne Saenz also chipped in for the Lady Jackets, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Howard Payne's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run double off the bat of Saenz.

The Lady Jackets then held the Lobos scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. which brought the Lady Jackets lead to 7-0.

Sul Ross State narrowed Howard Payne's lead to 7-1 before the Lady Jackets stretched the advantage to 12-1 in the fifth inning. The Lady Jackets hit two home runs in the inning on the way to scoring five runs. The score remained 12-1 for the rest of the game, as Howard Payne coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES

» Howard Payne got three-hit games from both junior Maddison Cason and Fuentes.
» The Lady Jackets had both Fuentes and Munoz crush multiple extra-base hits in the ballgame.
» Munoz drove in four runs for Howard Payne.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed five runs across.
» Five Lady Jackets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Lady Jackets out-hit the Lobos at a 14-6 clip.
» Howard Payne went 7-for-9 (.778) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Sul Ross State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 23 Sul Ross State hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out one.
» The Yellow Jackets drew four walks from Sul Ross State pitching.
» Munoz led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI.
» Sul Ross State was led offensively by freshman V. Jimenez, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
» Sophomore L. Chambers led the Lobos pitching staff, throwing 2.2 innings of four-run ball.

GAME 2 | Sul Ross State 8, Howard Payne 7

Jayden Falcon and Makayla Fuentes each racked up three hits, but the Howard Payne Lady Jackets fell to the Sul Ross State Lobos 8-7 in game two.

Sydney West (0-2) took the loss in the circle for Howard Payne (12-21).

In addition to her three hits, Fuentes had a walk to lead the Lady Jackets. Falcon added a walk and two RBI to her three-hit performance as well. Makayla Wesley also helped out for Howard Payne, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double and three RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Howard Payne got an RBI single from Falcon, scoring Elise Munoz from second base.

The Lobos then rallied to score two runs and take a 2-1 lead before the Lady Jackets got back on the board in the third. The Howard Payne offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Wesley, which brought the score to 6-2 in favor of the Lady Jackets.

Sul Ross State came back to even the ballgame at six before Howard Payne reclaimed a 7-6 advantage in the fourth inning. The Lady Jackets were unable to hold the lead, as Sul Ross State scored two times over the remaining three innings to grab the 8-7 win.

GAME NOTES

» The Lady Jackets got three-hit games from both Fuentes and Falcon.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed five runs across.
» Howard Payne went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 34 Sul Ross State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out one.
» The Lady Jackets drew six walks from Sul Ross State pitching.
» Falcon led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBI.
» Sul Ross State was led offensively by E. Clemente, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» L. Chambers led the Lobos pitching staff, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings.

HPU will look to bounce back and win the series versus Sul Ross with game three set for 12:00 PM on Saturday in Alpine, Texas