LONGVIEW, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team fell 6-4 in its conference series opener at LeTourneau University Friday evening at Conrad-Veron Field.

Leading 4-3 in the eighth after a solo homerun by freshman Noah Payne, Howard Payne allowed three LeTourneau runs in the bottom of the inning to trail 6-4, The LeTourneau runs were sparked by two HPU throwing errors.

The Jackets would have an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the ninth. Coby Cain reached on a walk with two outs by a groundout by Blake Laney ended the Jackets rally opportunity.

LeTourneau started the scoring by plating three runs in the second also sparked by a HPU fielding error. The Jackets responded in the top of the next inning tying the game at 3-3.

A Brandon Garrett single to right center brought home Noah Payne and Cody Cain bringing the Jackets to within one, 3-2. Then a Matthew Daniel double to center field plated Garrett to tie the game.

Kyle Ramon went seven innings in the start for the Jackets allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out five. Zach Moseley (2-2) threw the final frame recording the loss allowing two unearned runs on two hits.

Noah Payne and Cody Cain each had two hits for Howard Payne. Brandon Garrett recorded two RBIs.

Howard Payne is now 17-11 overall and 8-7 in American Southwest Conference action. LeTourneau stands at 9-16 overall and 6-10 in ASC play. The two teams will finish their conference series on Saturday with at double header starting at 12:00 noon.