The Howard Payne University softball team took down Arlington Baptist 3-0 and 2-1 at Lady Jacket Field on Saturday. Bree Cason totaled 19 strikeouts on the day, including 12 in game two, ranking her third all-time in HPU softball history for strikeouts in a single game.

GAME 1 | Howard Payne 3, Arlington Baptist 0

Bree Cason was dealing in game one, tossing a four-hit shutout to lead the Howard Payne Lady Jackets over the Arlington Baptist Patriots 3-0.

Cason (3-0) went the distance for Howard Payne (3-3), giving up four hits, walking one and striking out seven.

Kamryn Gomez led the way offensively for the Lady Jackets, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Ashley Blaylock provided a standout performance as well, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. McKeanne Saenz also contributed, going 2-for-3 for Howard Payne with a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. Howard Payne pushed across two runs in the frame, the big blow coming on an RBI double from Gomez.

The Lady Jackets also added a run in the fourth inning to complete their scoring in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES

» Cason tossed a four-hit shutout for the Lady Jackets.
» Cason struck out seven Patriots hitters.
» Every Howard Payne starter reached base safely in the win.
» Howard Payne’s highest-scoring inning was the first when it pushed two runs across.
» Howard Payne grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn’t surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Lady Jackets out-hit the Patriots at an 8-4 clip.
» Howard Payne went 5-for-14 (.357) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Arlington Baptist to just 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 26 Arlington Baptist hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out seven.
» The Lady Jackets drew eight walks from Arlington Baptist pitching.
» Gomez led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Arlington Baptist was led offensively by E. Werner, who went 1-for-3.
» K. Murphy led the Patriots pitching staff, throwing three shutout innings.

GAME 2 | Howard Payne 2, Arlington Baptist 1

Bree Cason was dominant in game two, punching out 12 Arlington Baptist hitters over seven innings of work to help power the Howard Payne Lady Jackets over the Patriots 2-1.

In addition to her 12 strikeouts, Cason (4-0) went seven innings, giving up one run on seven hits and walking none for Howard Payne (5-3). Cason’s 12 strikeouts are the most for an HPU softball player in a single game since 2008, ranking her third all-time in Lady Jacket history.

Offensively, the Lady Jackets were led by Makayla Wesley, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a triple and an RBI. Elise Munoz put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 1-0, the Lady Jackets first put runs on the board in the fifth inning. Howard Payne scored twice, with one run coming across on Wesley’s single. The score remained 2-1 for the rest of the game, as the Lady Jackets held on for the win.

GAME NOTES

» Cason struck out 12 Patriots hitters.
» Howard Payne’s highest-scoring inning was the fifth when it pushed two runs across.
» Howard Payne went 2-for-4 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Arlington Baptist to just 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 28 Arlington Baptist hitters in the game, allowing one ground ball and eight fly balls while striking out 12.
» Wesley led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Arlington Baptist was led offensively by M. Mitchell, who went 3-for-3 with a triple.
» A. Cabrera led the Patriots pitching staff, throwing 4.2 innings of two-run ball.

The Lady Jackets will be on the road next Saturday as they take on the University of the Southwest located in Hobbs, New Mexico with game times set for 1:00 and 3:00 PM.