*

The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets won their first conference match up 8-4 in game one of the three game series against the McMurry University War Hawks this Friday afternoon.

The Jackets defense started off hot with two strikeouts from pitcher Brendan Read, and catcher Rylee McGee throwing out McMurry’s baserunner at second.

Soon after the Jackets put up three runs to take the lead 3-0 with hits from Carson Wert, Tanner Benson, Will Burford, and a fielder’s choice single from Rylee McGee.

The Jackets added two more runs in the second giving them a 5-0 lead early on.

McMurry War Hawks were able to bring in two runs in the fourth, and two runs in the eighth.

HPU was able to keep the lead adding four more runs later on, giving the Jackets a win 8-4 over the War Hawks.

Catcher Rylee McGee and right fielder Tanner Benson led the Yellow Jackets at the plate each going 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Brendan Read took the win (1-1) as the starting pitcher for the Jackets, pitching 6.0 innings with a career high seven strikeouts in one game, and only allowing two runs. Bryant Chambers stepped in for the save, pitching the remaining 3.0 innings, with two strikeouts, and only allowing two runs.

Now 5-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference, the Yellow Jackets will take on McMurry University for the remaining two games of the series at home on Saturday, February 25th at 12:00 and 3:00 PM in Don Shepard Park.