Yellow Jackets Walk-Off Game One

February 16, 2024

BROWNWOOD, Texas - The University of Dallas baseball team lost their series opener to Howard Payne University on Friday, falling to 1-1 on the year.

Dallas 4, Howard Payne 5

WP: Bryson Adare (1-0)

LP: Cortez Saenz (0-1)

The first half of the game was mostly quiet, as both starters were locked in a pitcher's duel.  The Yellow Jackets strung together a couple of two-out singles to load the bases in the third, but Dallas ended the threat immediately to escape the inning unscathed.

The Crusaders got a runner in scoring position with one out three times: in the third, the fifth, and in the sixth, but couldn't capitalize on any of their opportunities.  The Yellow Jackets struck first with four runs in the bottom of the sixth, making the most out of two wild pitches and an error by Dallas.

Dallas answered right back in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with no outs after leading off the inning with a pair of knocks and reaching on an error by the pitcher.  Walker Alsobrooks got the Crusaders on the board with an RBI single, then Jake Amoroso brought home another on a fielder's choice to second base.

Tyler Darnell brought in a third run with a bunt, then Caleb Hohman made it a 4-4 game with a two-out RBI single.

The Crusaders had a chance to go ahead with a runner on third and one out in the top of the eighth.  Unfortunately, they ran themselves out of the inning, as Nate Curtis was gunned down at home after running on a ground ball to the third baseman.  

After Dallas went down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth, Howard Payne loaded the bases with one out on a single, a walk, and a hit batter, putting themselves in prime position for the walk-off single that followed to give them the 5-4 win.

Up Next

The series will conclude tomorrow, Feb. 17 with a double-header starting at 12:00 pm.