BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne baseball team fell 2-1 and 8-4 in two hard fought conference battles with the University of Texas at Dallas Saturday afternoon at Don Shepard Park.

In game one, the Howard Payne rally in the late innings fell short losing 2-1 in the seven inning game. After UT-Dallas scored one in the first and fourth innings, Howard Payne would score one but strand two to pull within one, 2-1 in the sixth.

A John Elmore double down the left line scored Brandon Garrett who had reach on a double to start the inning. The Jackets then flied out to end the inning and leave two on base.

The Jackets would hold in the top of the seventh but would strand another running in the bottom of the inning to end the HPU comeback.

Shae Edmonds got the complete game loss for Howard Payne allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out one, walking three. John Elmore finished 2-for-3 from the plate with an RBI for HPU.

Howard Payne was more productive at the plate in game two recording 11 hits as a team but was unable to convert more into runs falling 8-4.

Matthew Daniel was 3-for-4 with two RBIs in game two. Brandon Garrett had a solid outing going 3-for-5. Shawn Brody got the loss for HPU in the start allowing four runs on six hits and striking out three. Tyler Colburn, Dustin Kelver and Kyle Ramon also saw time in relief.

Howard Payne is now 8-9 overall and 3-8 in American Southwest Conference play. UT-Dallas stands at 7-10 overall and 5-4 in league action. The Jackets will play next weekend in Abilene versus conference opponent Hardin-Simmons University. Friday single will begin at 7:00 pm and Saturday double header will start at 1:00 pm.