BROWNWOOD, Texas – UST softball team traveled to take on Howard Payne in a non-conference doubleheader, coming away with a split. After dropping the first game 11-3, the Celts bounced back in dominant fashion, shutting out the Yellow Jackets 12-0 in Game 2. The loss in Game 1 snapped UST's five-game winning streak, bringing their record to 17-8 overall.

Game 1 HPU 11, UST 3

The Celts got off to a hot start as Jaelyn Simmons opened the scoring with an RBI triple, bringing home Rebecca Archibald. Chloe Bennett followed with an RBI double to give UST a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Howard Payne responded with a run in the bottom of the first before UST extended its lead in the fourth. Lindsey Gonzalez drove in a run with a single, but HPU answered with a four-run inning to take a 4-3 lead.

The Yellow Jackets took control in the fifth, plating seven runs to pull away. The Celts were unable to mount a comeback, falling 11-3, which ended their five-game win streak.

Game 1 UST 12, HPU 0

UST wasted no time in the rematch, scoring three runs in the first inning behind an RBI double from Bennett, followed by sacrifice flies from Samantha Crumrin and Ana Zozaya.

The Celts continued their offensive outburst in the second, capitalizing on a wild pitch before Bennett struck again with a two-run double. Zozaya added another RBI single to make it 7-0.

The bats stayed hot in the third, as Simmons and Bennett combined for three more RBIs to extend the lead to 10-0. UST capped off the dominant performance in the fifth, with Bennett driving in another run before Savana Henken drew a bases-loaded walk to bring the score to 12-0.

Up Next

UST will continue their road trip, facing Hardin-Simmons in a doubleheader on March 30 at 12 & 2 PM.For more updates, visit ustcelts.com or follow @ustsoftball on Instagram.