BROWNWOOD, Texas -- Howard Payne University's Luke Watkins was mowing people down on Tuesday, fanning nine University of Dallas hitters over five innings of work to help lead the Yellow Jackets over the Crusaders 9-3.
In addition to his nine strikeouts, Watkins (1-1) threw five shutout innings while giving up two hits and walking one for Howard Payne (9-26). Sophomore Bradley Valenzuel also made an impact on the mound for the Yellow Jackets, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts to close out the game.
At the plate, the Yellow Jackets were led by freshman Benjamin Morasco, who went 2-for-5 on the day with a double and three RBI. Senior William Burford compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Senior Seth Bowman also chipped in for Howard Payne, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. Burford's bases-clearing double put all three runs on the board in the inning for Howard Payne.
The Yellow Jackets then held the Crusaders scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. Howard Payne brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Bowman's single, which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.
Dallas narrowed Howard Payne's lead to 5-1 before the Yellow Jackets stretched the advantage to 9-1 in the seventh inning. The Yellow Jackets bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a three-run double off the bat of Morasco. Dallas put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Howard Payne still coasted to the 9-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Watkins struck out nine Crusaders hitters.
» Every Howard Payne starter reached base safely in the win.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed four runs across.
» Howard Payne grabbed the lead at 3-0 in the bottom half of the third and never lost that advantage.
» Four Yellow Jackets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Yellow Jackets out-hit the Crusaders at an 11-4 clip.
» Howard Payne went 6-for-12 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Dallas to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 38 Dallas hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out 11.
» The Yellow Jackets drew seven walks from Dallas pitching.
» Morasco led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI.
» Dallas was led offensively by L. Gill, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» J. Rodriguez led the Crusaders pitching staff, throwing 1.1 shutout innings.
The Yellow Jackets will have a weekend conference series at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas on April 24-26.
