Game One | HPU 7, Hardin-Simmons 20
ABILENE, Texas --Howard Payne got contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, but the Yellow Jackets fell to the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys 20-7 Thursday.

Senior Bryant Chambers (1-6) started and took the loss on the mound for Howard Payne (9-27, 1-12). Freshman Tyler George was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning while allowing one hit.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Yellow Jackets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning. Howard Payne plated two runs when senior Landon Prestage left the yard with senior Grant Pfaff aboard.

The Yellow Jackets then held the Cowboys scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Yellow Jackets.

Howard Payne's lead had disappeared once the fifth inning came around and turned into a 19-5 Hardin-Simmons advantage, when the Yellow Jackets cut that deficit to 19-7. The Yellow Jackets recorded two runs when a single from junior Hunter Rasnick-Pope scored senior William Burford and junior John Garza. The Yellow Jackets were unable to get any closer, as Hardin-Simmons added one run to their tally on the way to a 20-7 final.

GAME NOTES
» Every Yellow Jackets starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed three runs across.
» Howard Payne went 6-for-10 (.600) with runners in scoring position.
» The Yellow Jackets got two hits in four at-bats with the bases loaded.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 45 Hardin-Simmons hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and five fly balls while striking out one.
» Prestage led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Hardin-Simmons was led offensively by sophomore Jacob Hollingsworth, who went 4-for-4 with a triple, three home runs and eight RBI.
» Freshman Jack Kimsey led the Cowboys pitching staff, throwing seven innings of seven-run ball.

The Yellow Jackets are facing the Cowboys tomorrow, April 25th in a doubleheader starting at 3 PM.