The Howard Payne University Yellow Jackets beat Concordia University Texas, the number two team in the conference, 13-2 today. Concordia got run ruled in the seventh inning, giving HPU the series win for this weekend.

HPU started off the game with two runs in the bottom of the first inning off of a hit by JP Zuniga-Rodriguez, scoring Kayden Kelley and Tanner Benson.

In the third inning, Concordia was only able to score one run, in comparison to the Jackets’ four runs. Will Burford singled to right center, allowing Kayden Kelley to score. Joey Villarreal then singled out to right field, bringing home Burford and Landon Prestage. The last run was scored by Seth Bowman off of a triple by Carson Wert. This put HPU ahead 6-1.

The Jackets scored four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, making the score 10-2 HPU.

Howard Payne scored one run in the bottom of the fifth and two in the sixth. In the sixth, Joey Villarreal scored off a single to right field by Sam Lampson, and Carson Wert scored on a balk.

Unable to score anymore runs, Concordia was run ruled in the seventh inning, giving HPU the win 13-2.

HPU out hit Concordia 18 to eight. JP Zuniga-Rodriguez led the team with three hits and three RBI, followed by Joey Villarreal with three hits and two RBI.

Starting pitcher Gary Blair pitched all 7.0 innings for the Yellow Jackets. He had a total of two strikeouts and will take today’s win.

Ending the season on a high note, the Yellow Jackets have won the last seven of ten games of the season. They will finish out the season with a .500 record going 20-20 overall and 13-14 in conference play.