MARSHALL, Texas – The Howard Payne University baseball team's late game rally fell short losing 8-6 to East Texas Baptist University in the first round of the 2016 American Southwest Conference tournament Friday evening.

The Yellow Jackets (19-20) rallied from a 7-1 deficit to within one 7-6 on a single run in the seventh and a four-run eighth. East Texas Baptist (29-12) added a run in the bottom of the eighth and held on to win 8-6.

Howard Payne had the tying run at the plate several times in the closing innings but would not be able to continue the rally stranding runners in the final two frames.

The Jackets were held hitless through the first five innings but would end the game recording seven hits in the final four innings.

Seth Dohrman led HPU at the plate going 2-for-3 and Will Roberts drove in two runs.

Starter Kyle Ramon (4-4) got the loss for HPU going three innings allowing four runs on four hits, striking out three and walking six. Chad Anders went 3.0 innings in relief allowing three runs on four hits. Shawn Brody was solid in the final two frames allowing just one run on three hits.

Howard Payne will play next on Saturday at 1:00 pm versus Sul Ross State University in the first elimination game. If the Jackets win the elimination game, they will play the loser of the 4:00 pm Hardin-Simmons/East Texas Baptist game at 7:00 pm.