ABILENE, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team scored five runs in the top of the ninth to pull within one but fell short 13-12 in their conference series finale versus Hardin-Simmons University Saturday afternoon.

HPU's Joey Villarreal went 4-for-6 at the plate with one RBI for the Yellow Jackets. Noah Coronado went 2-for-5 with three RBI, and RJ Roberts and Wylan Koltz each added two hits.

The Yellow Jackets fell behind early and trailed 7-0 after two innings. HPU got back in the ballgame with a five-run third sparked by singles from Villarreal, Coronado, Roberts and a two RBI triple from Derek Gifford.

HPU added a single run in the fourth on a Coronado single scoring Villarreal. 7-6 HSU.

After four unanswered runs by the Cowboys, the Jackets scored a single run in the seventh again a Coronado single to score Villarreal. 11-7 HSU

After a two-run bottom of the eighth by HSU, the Jackets posted their second five-run inning of the game. to pull within one in the 13-12 final. 

Chandler Paul went 2.0 innings in the start for HPU allowing seven runs on five hits and striking out three. Bryant Chambers saw 4.0 innings in middle relief allowing four runs on six hits. Harlee Biggs threw the final 2.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits.

Howard Payne is now 1-5 overall and 1-5 in American Southwest Conference action. Hardin-Simmons stands at 2-4 overall and 2-4 in league play. The Jackets will play next in non-conference action on Tuesday, Feb. 22nd at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas. It will be a 1:00 pm start time.