BROWNWOOD, Texas -- The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets took a 4-3 lead into the seventh inning, but could not hang on and fell 14-7 to the UT Dallas Comets Friday.
Anthony Cook (1-2) took the loss on the mound for Howard Payne (9-16, 5-10).
At the plate, the Yellow Jackets were led by Landon Prestage, who went 3-for-5 on the day with three RBI. Jackson Earle compiled a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-4 with two doubles. Seth Bowman also chipped in for Howard Payne, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Howard Payne got an RBI single from Grant Pfaff, scoring Korey Kelley from second base.
The Comets failed to push any runs across before the Yellow Jackets offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Howard Payne picked up two runs when a single from Prestage brought home Tanner Benson and Bowman, which brought the score to 3-0 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.
Howard Payne held UT Dallas scoreless before expanding their lead to 4-0 the following inning.
Howard Payne lost the lead they built in the fourth, but got back on the scoreboard in the seventh trailing 5-4. The Yellow Jackets scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Prestage, tying the score at 5-5.
UT Dallas then broke that tie and took a 14-5 lead moving into the ninth, when the Yellow Jackets narrowed the gap to 14-7. Howard Payne managed to push across two runs in the inning. The Yellow Jackets were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» The Yellow Jackets got three-hit games from both Benson and Prestage.
» Howard Payne's power output was led by Earle, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Every Yellow Jackets starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Five Howard Payne hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne batters had a total of 15 hits in the game.
» Howard Payne left 12 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Yellow Jackets out-hit the Comets at a 15-13 clip.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 51 Texas-Dallas hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and 14 fly balls while striking out three.
» Prestage led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBI.
» UT Dallas was led offensively by J. Self, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» D. Collins led the Comets pitching staff, throwing six innings of four-run ball.
The Yellow Jackets will look to bounce back tomorrow as they host a double-header versus UT Dallas at Don Shepard Park with first pitch set for 1:00 PM
