HPU softball splits with Sterling in home opener

February 23, 2024 at 5:20 pm Derrick Stuckly

The Howard Payne University softball team won game one 6-2 but lost the backend of the double-header 13-4 versus Sterling College (KS) at Lady Jacket Field on Friday.

GAME 1 | Howard Payne 6, Sterling 2

Bree Cason had everything working in game one, punching out eight hitters over seven innings of work to help lead the Howard Payne Lady Jackets to a 6-2 victory.

In addition to her eight strikeouts, Cason (2-0) threw seven innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits and walking one for Howard Payne (3-3).

Bryce Allen-Bourland led the way offensively for the Lady Jackets, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with two doubles and two RBI. Makayla Fuentes put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Elise Munoz also chipped in, going 2-for-2 for Howard Payne with a walk.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Howard Payne got on the board thanks to Fuentes’ RBI double with two outs.

The Lady Jackets lost the lead they built in the third, but got back on the board in the fourth trailing 2-1. Howard Payne picked up a pair of runs in the frame. which brought the Lady Jackets lead to 3-2.

Howard Payne kept scoreless before building their lead to 6-2 in the sixth inning. The Lady Jackets recorded three runs in the frame, two of them coming across on a two-RBI double from Bryce Allen-Bourland. The score remained 6-2 for the rest of the game, as Howard Payne coasted to the win.

GAME NOTES

» Bree Cason struck out eight hitters.
» The Lady Jackets power output was led by Allen-Bourland, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» The Lady Jackets out-hit the at a 10-5 clip.
» Munoz stole two bases in Friday’s game.
» The Lady Jackets swiped five bases as a team.
» Howard Payne went 5-for-14 (.357) with runners in scoring position.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 27 hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out eight.
» Allen-Bourland led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI.
» was led offensively by K. Hirlas, who went 1-for-3 with two RBI.

GAME 2 | Sterling 13, Howard Payne 4

The Howard Payne Lady Jackets struggled game two, falling 13-4 despite the efforts of Kayla Camacho, who went 2-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.

Camacho (0-2) got the ball to start for Howard Payne (3-3) and took the loss.

Camacho led the way offensively for the Lady Jackets, going 2-for-2 in the ballgame with a home run and an RBI. Makayla Wesley compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Makayla Saenz also contributed, going 1-for-2 for Howard Payne with an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Jackets got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Elise Munoz came across to score the lone run of the inning for Howard Payne and get them on the board.

The Lady Jackets lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the third trailing 3-1. Howard Payne picked up two runs, including one on a solo dinger off the bat of Kayla Camacho, which evened the score at 3-3.

Sterling busted up the tie and took an 11-3 lead heading into the fifth, when Howard Payne narrowed the gap to 11-4. HPU was unable to get any closer, as Sterling added two runs to their tally on the way to a 13-4 final.

GAME NOTES

» Howard Payne’s highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» Howard Payne pitchers faced 40 hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out three.
» Camacho led the Lady Jackets at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.
» was led offensively by D. Perales, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI.
» A. Olivarria led the pitching staff, throwing six innings of four-run ball.

The Lady Jackets will be back in action on Saturday as they host Arlington Baptist University in the second double-header of the weekend. First pitch will take place at 12:00 PM with game two kicking off around 2:00 PM.