The Howard Payne University softball team earned a clean sweep over Southwestern University (TX) at Lady Jacket Field winning game one 14-1 and game two 3-1 on Tuesday.

GAME 1 | Howard Payne 14, Southwestern (TX) 1

Howard Payne received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Lady Jackets put 14 runs on the board and take down the Southwestern (TX) Pirates 14-1 Tuesday.

Bree Cason (5-2) started in the circle and picked up the win for Howard Payne (7-5). The right-hander went four innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing two walks and striking out three. Sydney West also made an impact in the circle for the Lady Jackets, throwing one scoreless inning while allowing no hits.

At the plate, the Lady Jackets were led by Makayla Wesley, who went 2-for-3 on the day with three RBI. Ashley Blaylock furnished a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Amber Williams also helped out for Howard Payne, putting together two hits in two trips to the plate while adding three RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Howard Payne’s offense started clicking and put up 13 runs, including a two-run shot off the bat of Williams and a two-run double from Blaylock.

The Pirates then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 13-1 until the Lady Jackets expanded their advantage in the third. Blaylock came across to score the lone run of the inning for Howard Payne, which brought the score to 14-1 in favor of the Lady Jackets. The score remained 14-1 for the rest of the game, as Howard Payne coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES

» Wesley and Williams drove in three runs each for the Lady Jackets.
» Every Howard Payne starter reached base safely in the win.
» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed 13 runs across.
» Howard Payne took a 13-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn’t surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Five Lady Jackets had multiple hits in the ballgame.
» The Lady Jackets out-hit the Pirates at a 14-2 clip.
» Howard Payne went 10-for-12 (.833) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Southwestern (TX) to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 21 Southwestern (TX) hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out three.
» Wesley led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBI.
» Southwestern (TX) was led offensively by D. Clark, who went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
» M. Heyer led the Pirates pitching staff, throwing 3.2 innings of one-run ball.

GAME 2 | Howard Payne 3, Southwestern (TX) 1

The Howard Payne Lady Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 3-1 win against the Southwestern (TX) Pirates on Tuesday.

Bree Cason (6-2) got the win for Howard Payne (6-5). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing no walks and striking out six.

Offensively, the Lady Jackets were paced by Maddison Cason, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a double and a walk. Elise Munoz compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with a double. Bryce Allen-Bourland also contributed for Howard Payne, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Allen-Bourland’s run-scoring single highlighted a two-run inning for Howard Payne.

The Pirates failed to push any runs across before the Lady Jackets built on their lead in the sixth inning. Maddison Cason came across to score the lone run of the inning for Howard Payne, which brought the Lady Jackets lead to 3-0. Southwestern (TX) put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Howard Payne still held on for the 3-1 win.

GAME NOTES

» Bree Cason struck out six Pirates hitters.
» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Howard Payne took a 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn’t surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» Howard Payne went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Southwestern (TX) to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 28 Southwestern (TX) hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and six fly balls while striking out six.
» Maddison Cason led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double.
» Southwestern (TX) was led offensively by B. Gonzales, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» M. Heyer led the Pirates pitching staff, throwing six innings of three-run ball.

The Lady Jackets will look forward to hosting East Texas Baptist University in what will be the conference opener. HPU will be at home and take on the Tigers in a three-game series with first pitches set for 12:00 and 2:00 PM on Friday and 12:00 PM on Saturday.