RICHARDSON, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team fell 14-4 during the first day of a three game series vs. the #14 University of Texas at Dallas. The Comet's used a five-run seventh inning rally to help propel themselves to victory in nine innings of play.

Bailey Smith scored two runs on 1-2 hitting and stole two bases while Cliff Lunceford added one run, one RBI, and one stolen base on 2-5 hitting. Benjamin Lewis's single to centerfield in the third inning scored two runs and Joshua Gerig brought in the other Jackets run with a fielder's choice in the fourth inning.

UT-Dallas started the game with three straight singles to load the bases in the bottom of the first inning. A base's loaded double to left field brought in two runs and put the other tunner on third base. A sac fly on the ensuing at-bat would bring the runner around and the Comet's would go up 3-0 after one full inning of play.

Noah Payne started the second inning aggressively for Howard Payne. Reaching base with a single to right field, Payne proceeded to steal second base, and then also third base too. But the Jackets were unable to bring him around and would give up one more run in the bottom of the inning to fall behind 4-0 after two full innings.

Howard Payne would find some rhythm in the third inning with Bailey Smith singling through the left side and then stealing second base to lead off the inning. Cliff Lunceford immediately followed with a single up the middle and the Jackets would have both runners in scoring position after Lunceford stole second base. Benjamin Lewis hit a two out single to center field to bring in both runs and cut into the Comets' deficit, 4-2.

However, the UT-Dallas offense responded with an efficient three runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning to go back up up 7-2. The Jackets continued to fight tough though and Michael Nowak would lead off the fourth inning by working a full count and taking a walk to get things going. Chris Byrd singled through the right side to push Nowak into scoring position and Bailey Smith reach based on a throwing error to lowad the bases. Gerig reached base on a fielders choice and scored Nowak in the process to cut in the Comets' deficit, 7-3.

After a scoreless fifth inning from both teams, Howard Payne was able to score one more run in the top of the sixth inning with a Cliff Lunceford single down the rigth field line to make it 7-4. Lunceford's single scored Bailey Smith after he had reached base on a hit-by-pitch and stole second base for the second time of the day. The Howard Payne offense would be held scoreless over the next two innings after the Comet's substituted in their relief pitcher. 

UT-Dallas would go on to score seven unanswered runs over the games final 2.5 innings to pick up the 14-4 victory after nine innings. The two sides will meet again tomorrow for a doubleheader beginning at noon. Live stats, video, and audio links can be found on HPUSports.com. Also, be sure to follow along on Twitter, @HPUHardball and on Instagram, @HPUSports for in-game updates, interactive content and more.