Howard Payne battled through a four-game slate against Hardin-Simmons, opening the series on April 16 before a doubleheader on April 17 and closing with Senior Day on April 19 at Don Shepard Park.
April 16 – Game 1
The series opener saw flashes of offensive rhythm despite a tough final score. Nader Gulamhusein collected two hits and drove in a run, while Joshua Lile added a pair of hits and an RBI of his own. Wilson Russell chipped in with two hits and an RBI, helping the Yellow Jackets string together nine hits on the night.
Landon Prestage reached base three times with a hit and two walks, continuing to set the table at the top, while Colby Chapman added a hit and an RBI as Howard Payne looked to generate momentum late.
April 17 – Game 2 (Doubleheader Game 1)
The first game of the doubleheader turned into a tight, low-scoring battle. John Garza was a bright spot, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and both RBIs for Howard Payne. Ty Phillips added a hit and scored, while Huston Cornish contributed a base knock in a game where runs were hard to come by.
The Yellow Jackets stayed within striking distance throughout, with timely hits keeping pressure on despite the narrow outcome.
April 17 – Game 3 (Las Avispas Night)Â
Then came the buzz.
Under the Las Avispas identity, Howard Payne brought energy, rhythm, and a jolt of offense that felt different from the first pitch as Howard Payne celebrated Hispanic Heritage. The Yellow Jackets traded punches in a high-scoring battle, erupting for eight runs on 11 hits.
Ryan Pullen sparked the lineup with a 2-for-2 performance, driving in two runs and reaching base four times. Jace Mackenzie added two hits and an RBI, while Landon Prestage collected two hits and scored twice. Huston Cornish delivered a two-RBI double, and Colby Chapman added two hits to keep the offense humming.
The Avispas weren't just playing baseball—they were buzzing, swarming the bases, applying pressure, and feeding off the atmosphere of the night. Even as the final innings slipped away, the energy never dipped, turning the evening into one of the most electric moments of the series.
April 19 – Senior Day
Sunday carried a different weight.
Before first pitch, Howard Payne honored its seniors—players who've built their careers one inning at a time, now stepping onto the field at Don Shepard Park for the final time in the regular season. And fittingly, they delivered.
Nader Gulamhusein led the charge with a three-hit day, scoring twice and driving in a run while consistently setting the tone at the top. Jace Mackenzie followed with two hits, two runs, and two RBIs, while Colby Chapman added a hit and drove in a pair.
Kyle Hemenway crossed the plate twice, and Hunter Pope chipped in an RBI as the Yellow Jackets put together an eight-run effort, showing fight from the opening innings. Despite a late push from Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne never backed down, continuing to answer and compete deep into the game.
But the box score only tells part of it.
Senior Day is measured in more than runs and hits—it's in the handshakes, the final jogs to position, the quiet moments between innings where everything slows down just enough to feel it.
"I'm proud of the way our guys competed all weekend." said Coach Lynn. "We faced a tough opponent, but we kept fighting, kept showing up, and there's a lot of growth in that. Friday night with Las Avispas, you could feel the energy and identity we're capable of playing with. And then Sunday… that's about our seniors. Those guys have put everything into this program. The way they showed up, the way they led, and the way they competed in their final home series—that's something we'll carry with us long after this season."
Jackets will be back in action on Wednesday in Marshall, TX against ETBU for the conclusion of the regular season.Â
