HPU softball splits doubleheader with Concordia to win series

May 1, 2024 at 8:33 pm Derrick Stuckly

{Photo, story courtesy of HPUSports.com}

The Howard Payne University softball team took the three-game series versus Concordia (TX) dropping game one of the double-header, but defeating the Tornados 6-2 in game three on Wednesday at Lady Jacket Field.

GAME 1 | Concordia (TX) 7, Howard Payne 5

Maddie Escalon and Kamryn Gomez each racked up three hits, but the Howard Payne Lady Jackets fell to the Concordia (TX) Tornados 7-5 in game one.

Bree Cason (10-13) started and took the loss in the circle for Howard Payne (13-21, 5-14).

In addition to her three hits, Gomez had an RBI to lead the Lady Jackets. Escalon added an RBI to her three-hit performance as well. Elise Munoz also helped out for Howard Payne, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding two walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless.

The Lady Jackets lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the fourth trailing 7-3. Gomez’s run-scoring single highlighted an inning where Howard Payne scored twice, which tightened the Tornados lead to 7-5. The Lady Jackets were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.

GAME NOTES

» The Lady Jackets got three-hit games from both Gomez and Escalon.
» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed three runs across.
» Howard Payne left 11 runners stranded on base in the loss.
» The Lady Jackets out-hit the Tornados at a 12-11 clip.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 33 Concordia (TX) hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out three.
» Gomez led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI.
» Concordia (TX) was led offensively by K. Kirk, who went 1-for-4 with a triple and three RBI.
» M. Post led the Tornados pitching staff, throwing 4.2 innings of two-run ball.

GAME 2 | Howard Payne 6, Concordia (TX) 2

The Howard Payne Lady Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never trailed from there on the way to a 6-2 win against the Concordia (TX) Tornados in game two.

Sydney West (1-2) started in the circle and picked up the win for Howard Payne (13-22, 5-15). The right-hander went 4.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on four hits. Kayla Camacho also made an impact in the circle for the Lady Jackets, starting the ballgame and throwing 2.2 shutout innings while allowing two hits, with no walks and three strikeouts.

In the batter’s box, the Lady Jackets were led by Camacho, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a triple and two RBI. Bryce Allen-Bourland put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with an RBI. McKeanne Saenz also chipped in for Howard Payne, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. Howard Payne plated two runs off of Concordia (TX) pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Camacho.

The Tornados failed to push any runs across before the Lady Jackets built on their lead in the third inning. The Howard Payne offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of Saenz, which brought the Lady Jackets lead to 6-0. Concordia (TX) put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Howard Payne still coasted to the 6-2 win.

GAME NOTES

» The Lady Jackets power output was led by Camacho, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed four 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.
» Howard Payne went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers limited Concordia (TX) to just 2-for-12 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 32 Concordia (TX) hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out three.
» Camacho led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and two RBI.
» Concordia (TX) was led offensively by K. Denaro, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
» K. Burg led the Tornados pitching staff, throwing three shutout innings.

The Lady Jackets will take on McMurry University this weekend to close out the 2024 season. HPU will battle the Warhawks on a double-header on Friday and a single game on Saturday at Lady Jacket Field. Howard Payne will be honoring two graduating seniors.