ABILENE, Texas – Freshman Aman Patel spun another stellar performance but ended up on the wrong end of a pitchers' duel in the nightcap against Hardin-Simmons at Hunter Field Saturday.

The YellowJackets dropped to 6-16 overall, including 3-12 in American Southwest Conference play, while the Cowboys moved to 10-9, 8-7.

Patel tossed 8.0 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits, two base-on-balls and fanning 10. This is the fifth quality start - all in the last five starts. The eight innings matches a season long for the rookie from Missiouri City, Texas, while the 10 punchouts is his second most.

Kyle Maysonave, Weston McKinley and Devin Greaff recorded a hit each for LETU.

Hardin-Simmons opened the scoring in the sixth, when Kirkbride, who worked a lead-off walk, scored on a dropped third strike. Buchkowski doubled the advantage with a home run to right center in the next frame.

The YellowJackets open a six-game homestand, when Howard Payne visits Conrad-Vernon Field. First pitch of the series opener is Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m.

Game Information
WP – Girod (1-2): 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K
LP – Aman Patel (1-2): 8.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 10 K

Home Runs
HSU: Sam Buchkowski (3)
 
Errors
HSU: Kirkbride (8)

Start: 3:30 p.m. Time: 2:00 Weather: 77 and windy