BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team fell 12-11 to the University of Texas at Tyler during their 2017 season home opener at Don Shepard Park on Friday afternoon.

Howard Payne rallied back from a 10-5 deficit despite the Patriots recording a seven-run fourth inning. They scored three runs in the bottom of the eight to help push the game to the final inning only to be held to a three and out inning to close the game.

Assistant Coach Robert Anders, "We made too many mistakes and put ourselves in tough situations today. But we battled hard and that means a lot for this young team."

Noah Payne finished 3-4 from the plate with two runs and two RBI's and Brett Quackenbush scored two runs and finished with a triple that helped spark a Howard Payne comeback attempt. Benjamin Lewis and Jacob Salazar each drove in two runs apiece during the loss.

The Jackets used four pitchers in the game with Jonathan George picking up the loss while going for 3.2 innings of pitching time. 

The Patriots (7-1, 1-0 ASC) jumped out to a three-run lead to start the game but the Jackets (3-5, 0-1 ASC) rallied back to steal the lead in the third inning after Noah Payne singled to right center to bring around David Groves. 

Brett Quackenbush followed with a triple to right-center that cleared the bases to help give Howard Payne a 5-3 lead heading into the top of the fourth inning.

UT-Tyler responded by going for seven runs in the top of the inning to help give themselves the 10-6 lead. The Jackets fought tough and were able to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth to put themselves in a winning position.

Howard Payne's scoring rally was sparked by the squad taking good at-bats and loading the bases. Benjamin Lewis's single down the third base line brought in one more run and the Jackets were trailing by just one run, 12-11 entering the final inning of play.

The Patriots brought in their relief pitcher and held Howard Payne to a three and out inning to escape with the narrow, 12-11 victory.

Howard Payne will face UT-Tyler again tomorrow in the final day of a three-game series. The game is slated to begin at 12:00 PM and the second game of the DH will fall shortly thereafter. 

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