The Howard Payne University baseball team split a double header Tuesday afternoon with the University of Dallas at Don Shepard Park winning the first game 4-2, but dropping the second 9-2.

In the first game, the Jackets started off shaky, allowing two runs to cross the plate in the top of the first off two errors.

The Jackets starting pitcher Billy Ray Cruz and his defense would calm down after that, not allowing any more runs for the remainder of the game.  Cruz pitched 6.2 innings, striking out five batters, allowing zero earned runs on five hits.

The HPU offense would get going grabbing one run in the bottom of the third, and then tacking on three more in the forth, headed by a two-run RBI single by Sam Dollahite.

Taylor Zambreski came in for the last out as pitcher with two runners on base to grab the save for the Jackets.

In the second game, errors plagued the Jackets, allowing nine runs, five earned, on five errors.

Through four innings the game was close, with the Jackets only down 4-2.  But in the top of the fifth, the University of Dallas tacked on four more to double their run total to eight and grab a six run lead, 8-2.

HPU went scoreless for the remainder of the game, leaving eight runners stranded on base throughout the game.

The Jackets go to 2-5 on the season overall, while the University of Dallas stands at 8-3.

Howard Payne’s next games will be this upcoming weekend against LeTourneau University at 2 p.m. on Friday, and a double header starting at noon on Saturday at Don Shepard Park.