GAME 2 | Hardin-Simmons 9, Howard Payne 4
ABILENE, Texas --The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets got a boost from senior Seth Bowman, who collected three hits in a 9-4 loss to the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys Friday.

Junior Daylan Bower (1-6) got the ball to start for Howard Payne (9-28, 1-13) and took the loss.

In addition to his three hits, Bowman had a triple to lead the Yellow Jackets. Senior Grant Pfaff compiled a standout effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Senior Landon Prestage also helped out for Howard Payne, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a home run, a walk and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Yellow Jackets were trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Howard Payne plated two runs when Prestage left the yard with Bowman aboard.

The Cowboys then rallied to score eight runs and take a 9-2 lead before the Yellow Jackets got back on the board in the seventh. Howard Payne scored twice on Pfaff's two-run homer, which brought the score to 9-4 in favor of the Cowboys. The ballgame ended with that seventh inning rally falling short.

GAME NOTES
» Bowman led the Yellow Jackets, amassing three base hits in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed two runs across.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 30 Hardin-Simmons hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out two.
» Pfaff led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Hardin-Simmons was led offensively by senior Quincy McGraw, who went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
» Senior Alex Carte led the Cowboys pitching staff, throwing seven innings of four-run ball.

GAME 3 | Hardin-Simmons 10, Howard Payne 9
ABILENE, Texas --Senior Landon Prestage and freshman Benjamin Morasco each racked up three hits, but the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets fell to the Hardin-Simmons Cowboys 10-9 on Friday.

Sophomore Luke Watkins (1-2) came out of the bullpen for Howard Payne (9-29, 1-14) and took the loss. The right-hander went 7.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing two walks and striking out one.

In addition to his three hits, Morasco had two doubles, a walk and an RBI to lead the Yellow Jackets. Prestage added a home run and two RBI to his three-hit performance as well. Sophomore Braden Franks also helped out for Howard Payne, putting together two hits in five trips to the plate while adding a double and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 9-0, the Yellow Jackets first put runs on the board in the fifth inning. Howard Payne's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a one-run groundout off the bat of senior Seth Bowman.

The Yellow Jackets kept the deficit at 9-4 before closing the gap further in the sixth. Howard Payne pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Franks that scored senior William Burford and junior John Garza, which brought the score to 9-6 in favor of the Cowboys.

Howard Payne held the Cowboys off the board before rallying to tie it up at nine in the seventh. The Yellow Jackets scored three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-run homer from Prestage. Hardin-Simmons then scored one time over the remaining two innings to break the tie and grab the 10-9 win.

GAME NOTES
» The Yellow Jackets got three-hit games from both Morasco and Prestage.
» Howard Payne's power output was led by Morasco, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed four runs across.
» Five Howard Payne hitters had multiple base knocks in the ballgame.
» The Yellow Jackets out-hit the Cowboys at a 14-11 clip.
» Howard Payne went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 40 Hardin-Simmons hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 14 fly balls while striking out one.
» The Yellow Jackets drew four walks from Hardin-Simmons pitching.
» Prestage led the Yellow Jackets at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.
» Hardin-Simmons was led offensively by sophomore Justin Blancaflor, who went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
» Sophomore Bradley Fletcher led the Cowboys pitching staff, throwing one shutout inning.

The Yellow Jackets are finishing up regular season play tomorrow in Abilene versus Hardin-Simmons. Gametime is set for 1 PM.