ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team fell in its series opener at McMurry University 8-7 in 15 innings Thursday evening. HPU's Nylon Box tied American Southwest Conference record for At Bats in a game with eight.

Howard Payne's Johnny Cravey scored on wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning to force McMurry into extra innings. After six extra frames, the War Hawks with the bases loaded score when a batter was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 15th for the 8-7 final.

The Yellow Jackets led by as much as 6-0 after the top of the fourth. 

In the first for HPU, Jonathan McKay scored on a catcher fielding error and later Joey Villarreal come home on a Derek Gifford double down the right field line.

In the second, a Will Iannacone single scored David Berzins, and in the fourth, it was RBI doubles by Villarreal and Nolyn Box that scored two runs of the Jackets.

McKay, Iannacone, Villarreal, Gifford, and Box each had two hits for HPU. Villarreal and Box each recorded two RBI in the game.

Jasen Hollingsworth recorded the loss in the final frame for HPU. Bryant Chambers had the no decision in the start going 5.1 innings allowing six runs on eight hits and striking out four. Cody Leal, Harlee Biggs, and Ty Garner each saw limited time in relief. Biggs had three strikeouts. Xavier Haines threw the best in relief going 6.2 innings and striking out six.

Both teams will finish out the conference series tomorrow with a double header starting at 1;00 pm.