ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' defense turned a school-record five double plays and the Cowboys had timely hitting in a 10-4 American Southwest Conference win over Howard Payne.
It was a big win for the Cowboys as they snapped a six-game losing streak and won their first home game of the season. HSU had been on the road for 13 straight games.
Senior
Wyatt Tumlinson came up big on the mound for the Cowboys as he went eight and one-third innings and allowed just four runs. He struck out four batters to improve to 3-4 on the year.
Guy George recorded the final two outs for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys jumped on the board quickly as
Luke Kirkbride singled and
Baylan Vaughan drove him in with an RBI triple in the first inning.
Jacob Hollingsworth then brought home Vaughan with an RBI groundout to give the Cowboys a 2-0 lead.
HPU scored three times in the third inning to take the lead as Landon Prestage had a two-run double.
The Cowboys received a couple of defensive gifts that led to a five-run third inning.
Jett Forrestt hit a sacrifice fly to right that would have easily scored the run but it was dropped so everyone was safe.
Sam Buchkowski added a sacrifice fly and
Nick Ellington came up with a clutch three-run double with two outs and the bases loaded to give the Cowboys a 7-3 lead in the third inning.
Howard Payne added a single run in the seventh as they scored on a double play. Kirkbride then had an RBI double in the eighth
Craig Symmes scored on a wild pitch and Hollingsworth added an RBI double.
HPU starter Gary Blair deserved a better fate as he allowed just two earned runs over six innings of work. HPU allowed five unearned runs in the third inning. Blair fell to 0-5 on the year. He retired the final 10 batters he faced.
Vaughan led the Cowboys with three hits and Kirkbride had two. Jackson Earle had three hits for HPU.
HSU is now 8-15 on the year and 3-7 in conference play. HPU fell to 9-14 overall and to 5-8 in conference action.
The teams will play a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday.
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