BROWNWOOD, Texas – Sweeping the double header on the first day of competition vs. Howard Payne University, East Texas Baptist University improved to 9-3 overall and 7-1 in the ASC. ETBU squeaked out a win in game one, 4-3, and then took game two, 5-3. Raquel Tello and Kelly Jo McLendon each received the win.

Game One: ETBU 4, Howard Payne 3

In game one, ETBU went ahead by three runs, 4-1, after four-and-a-half innings. Lindsey Vasquez led off the game with a bunt single and then stole second base. Later on with two away, Lacey Lindsey hit an RBI double to right-center to put ETBU in the lead, 1-0. Further on in the top of the fourth, an Alexis Padilla sacrifice fly brought home Jessica Bowden as ETBU reclaimed the lead, 2-1.

ETBU scored a pair of runs in the fifth with Jayme Perez contributing a two-run single that plated Linzie Lewis and Vasquez and gave the team a 4-1 advantage. Howard Payne scored twice in the fifth and threatened to add more in the sixth. ETBU pitcher Raquel Tello escaped a two-on, one-out jam, however, to preserve the team's narrow 4-3 lead. In all, Tello retired the final five batters that she faced.

Tello (5-0) pitched the full duration, her fourth complete-game performance in as many starts this spring. She threw seven innings, allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned). Tello walked one and struck out none.

Game Two: ETBU 5, Howard Payne 3

The nightcap resulted in another ETBU win as the team scored once in each of the final three innings to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 lead. Trailing by a 3-2 score after four innings, ETBU drew even in the fifth via a Lindsey run-scoring single that brought home Vasquez and tied game two at 3-3. One inning later, Katy Hill doubled down the right field line to plate Trina Deyo for the tie-breaking run, 4-3. ETBU scored the final run of the day in the seventh on an RBI double off the bat of Lindsey to score Perez all the way from first base.

With a runner on first base and one out, Perez entered the pitcher's circle in relief of Kelly Jo McLendon in the bottom of the seventh. Perez struck out a batter swinging and then ETBU catcher McKenzie Cain threw out a Howard Payne base runner attempting to steal second base for the final out.

McLendon (1-3) earned her first win of the season after entering in relief of game two starter Jade Jones. McLendon pitched 3 1/3 innings and allowed one hit, one run and three walks. Meanwhile, Perez earned her first save this spring.

ETBU and Howard Payne close the three-game series on Saturday afternoon with a single game scheduled for a noontime first pitch.