JACKSON, MS - The weekend series finale ended for Howard Payne University with the bases loaded in a 12-9 conference loss for the Yellow Jackets to Belhaven University Saturday afternoon.

Down 12-9 going into top of the ninth, Howard Payne loaded the bases with just one out on singles by Noah Payne and Cliff Lunceford and a hit by pitch by Blake Laney. The Jackets would then strikeout and fly out to end the game.

The difference in the game would be Howard Payne stranding 14 runners compared to 7 for Belhaven.

In the 3rd, Blake Null reached on an error to score Noah Payne. Next, Benjamin Lewis singled up the middle to plate Cliff Lunceford, Then,Jacob Rodriguez singled through the left side to score Blake Laney, 3-3 Belhaven.

After a five run fourth by Belhaven, a Jacob Rodriguez double to right center scored Blake Null in the fifth. Later in the inning, Lewis and Rodriguez each would score on passed balls.

In the seventh, Groves singled to center field to bring home Lewis and in the eighth Blake Null would hit a two-run homer, his second of the season.

Benjamin Lewis was 4-for-5 at the plate with an RBI. Blake Null was 3-for-6 with three RBI and Cliff Lunceford also finished 3-for-6 on the day.

Preston Newman recorded the loss in the start for HPU allowing six runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings of work. Shawn Brody threw 2.2 innings in relief allowing four runs on four hits. Wesley Smith and Evan Rodriguez each threw one inning both allowing one run and one hit.

Howard Payne is now 9-4 overall and Belhaven stands at 5-11 on the year. The Jackets will be at home on Tuesday, playing Hardin-Simmons at 2:00 pm.