ALPINE, Texas – Howard Payne and Sul Ross baseball teams split Saturday doubleheader play. Following a 13-7 Sul Ross victory, the Yellow Jackets rebounded with a 12-10 win giving HPU the 2-1 series victory.
In game one, both teams shared the hitting profit at 12 hits each. HPU’s Kyle Lloyd and Nick Loving each had 2 RBI in the outing.
Howard Payne notched the first run in the opening inning before Sul Ross took the lead in their first at-bat. Sul Ross held a 3-1 advantage after the first. Following a two-run HPU second, Sul Ross opened their lead to three in the bottom frame, 6-3.
The Jackets reeled in one score in the top of the fourth before Sul Ross unloaded six runs in the bottom half. Sul Ross held a commanding 12-4 lead after four innings.
Howard Payne crossed three runs in the top of the fifth before the Sul Ross added one in the sixth to upend HPU 13-7. It was Sul Ross’ only win of the series.
Will Hood got the loss for Howard Payne and Sul Ross’ Luke Fry picked up the win.
Game two saw Howard Payne outhit the Sul Ross by a 16-10 margin.
Sul Ross pegged the first run in the first but the Jackets then posted a one-run go ahead in the second inning before Sul Ross reclaimed the lead with two scores in the bottom half.
The Yellow Jackets then pounded out six runs in the top of the third to gain an 8-3 lead. The Sul Ross Lobos mounted a three-run attack in the fourth to pull to within two, 8-6 HPU.
The Jackets spread the gap to four in the fifth inning leading 10-6 before a two-run Lobo fifth cut the HPU lead back to two, 10-8. Howard Payne moved on a one-run sixth before the Lobos added two runs in the bottom of the eight for an 11-10 Yellow Jacket advantage.
Howard Payne capped the outing with a one-run ninth before shutting down the opposition in the closing half for the 12-10 victory. HPU’s Kyle Lloyd drove in 4 runs in the game to finish with 6 RBI for the series.
Billy Ray Cruz got the win for HPU with Robert Anders recording the save. Sul Ross’ Leo Carranza posted the loss after two and two-thirds innings.
Howard Payne is now 13-11 overall and 4-5 in ASC play. Sul Ross State stands at 13-10 on the season and 5-4 in league competition.
The Jackets will be at home next Thursday and Friday against Hardin-Simmons University.
