The Howard Payne University baseball team split its double header 11-1 and 3-9 versus the University of St. Thomas Celts.
Game One
The Yellow Jackets were quick to get on the board in the bottom of the first inning with help from Seth Bowman’s single to centerfield, bringing Tanner Benson home giving the Jackets a 1-0 lead.
In the second inning, HPU added one more run from a single to right field by Carson Wert.
St. Thomas struggled in the fourth making four errors which allowed the Jackets to score nine more runs, including a Grand Slam by #14 Will Burford, making it a 11-0 game.
The Jackets held off the Celts until the sixth inning, only allowing one run to come in.
HPU was able to take game one of the double header against St. Thomas, 11-1.
Carson Wert lead the Jackets at the plate going 2-for-4 with two RBI. Will Burford recorded four RBI.
Brayden Ferrie took the win for HPU, pitching 5.0 innings with three strikeouts, and allowing zero runs. Anthony Cook pitched the remaining 2.0 innings and recorded two strikeouts.
Game Two
St. Thomas scored one run early in the second inning, and three more runs in the third giving the Celts a 4-0 lead over HPU.
The Jackets scored two runs in the 5th inning by an inside the park homerun from Carson Wert, and a pass ball from the catcher, bringing Tanner Benson in from third.
St. Thomas added four more runs to the board making in the top of the sixth, making it a 9-3 ball game.
The Jackets were unable to bring in any more runs, dropping game two of the double header.
Carson Wert, Tanner Benson, Kayden Kelley, and John Garza all recorded one hit. Wert and Garza both recorded one RBI.
Bryant Chambers closed out the game for the Jackets recording two strikeouts, and allowing one run in 3.0 innings.
The Yellow Jackets are now 1-2 overall, and 0-0 in conference play. They will be back in Brownwood, Texas at Don Shepard Park next Friday, February 17th, at 1:00 pm against Schreiner University.