The Schreiner University softball team rallied for a dramatic seventh-inning comeback to earn a 3-2 victory over Howard Payne in the opener of Friday’s doubleheader, salvaging a split after dropping the nightcap 7-6 at Mountaineer Field.

The Mountaineers (7-16) overcame a 2-0 deficit in game one with three runs in their final at-bat, then nearly pulled off another comeback in game two before falling short against the Yellow Jackets (2-9).

In the opener, Anyssia Mendoza went the distance in the circle, striking out 14 Howard Payne batters while scattering five hits to improve to 5-3 on the season.

Howard Payne struck first when Makayla Wesley homered to left field in the fourth inning, giving the Yellow Jackets a 1-0 lead. They doubled their advantage in the top of the seventh when Madison Garza singled home Elise Munoz, who had tripled earlier in the inning.

Trailing 2-0 with three outs remaining, Schreiner’s rally began when Payton Eubanks-Smith scored on Lindsey Hues’ single. Kendall Lippold advanced to third on the play, then scored the tying run when Breyanna Jones singled to even the score at 2-2. Jones’ hit chased Howard Payne reliever Destiny Sanchez (1-4), who took the loss.

In the nightcap, Howard Payne jumped out to a 4-0 first-inning lead behind Alyana Salazar’s two-run double. Schreiner gradually fought back, eventually tying the game 6-6 in the sixth when Janelle Lopez singled home Haedyn Renslow.

The Yellow Jackets reclaimed the lead in the seventh when Jaliyah Rodriguez singled to center field, driving in Salazar for the decisive run.

Destiny Sanchez (3-3) earned the win in the second game, allowing just one run over four innings of relief work. Kearsten White (0-1) took the loss for Schreiner.

Elise Munoz led Howard Payne’s offense across both games, going 5-for-6 with a double, triple and three runs scored. For Schreiner, Breyanna Jones collected three hits and two RBIs in the doubleheader.

Mendoza’s 14-strikeout performance in game one marked a season high for the junior pitcher, who lowered her ERA to 3.85.

The split leaves Schreiner with a 1-3 record in the four-game series against Howard Payne.

The Mountaineers continue their homestand next weekend when they host Concordia University for another four-game set beginning Friday.