HPU softball rallies late to knock off UT-Dallas, 6-5

April 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm Derrick Stuckly

RICHARDSON — The Howard Payne University Lady Jackets responded from down 5-2 in the sixth inning to win in exciting fashion, scoring four runs in the seventh to secure a 6-5 victory over the UT Dallas Comets Saturday.

Senior Bree Cason (7-11) started in the circle and picked up the win for Howard Payne (9-18, 2-13). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on 11 hits, allowing two walks and striking out two.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 2-0, the Lady Jackets first put runs on the board in the third inning. Howard Payne got an RBI single from sophomore Makayla Fuentes, scoring junior Maddison Cason from third base.

The Lady Jackets deficit grew to 4-1 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the fifth inning. Howard Payne scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Fuentes, which tightened the Comets lead to 4-2.

UT Dallas expanded their lead to 5-2 before the Howard Payne offense got going, overtaking the Comets to grab a 6-5 advantage in the seventh. The Lady Jackets bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a three-run home run off the bat of junior Makayla Wesley. The score remained 6-5 for the rest of the game, as Howard Payne held on for the win.

GAME NOTES

» Howard Payne got three-hit games from both junior Kayla Camacho and Wesley.
» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed four runs across.
» Howard Payne went 3-for-8 (.375) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 33 UT Dallas hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out two.
» The Lady Jackets drew six walks from Texas-Dallas pitching.
» Wesley led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» UT Dallas was led offensively by junior MiKayla Hoffman, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
» Junior McKenzie Cutbirth led the Comets pitching staff, throwing 5.2 innings of two-run ball.

The Lady Jackets will be back in action next weekend as they host the University of the Ozarks in a three-game series at Lady Jacket Field.