BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University baseball team fell 7-5 in its season series opener against University of St. Thomas this Friday afternoon at Don Shepard Park.
 
The Celts scored one in the first inning, one in the third inning, and four in the 6^th inning, making the score 6-0 at the bottom of the 6^th.
 
In the 7^th inning, HPU's Carson Wert singled to right field, bringing in Sam Lampson for the Jackets' first run of the game to put them on the scoreboard.
 
During the 7^th inning, Joey Villarreal scored on a balk and Carson Wert scored on a wild pitch. Seth Bowman then singled to left field bringing in Rylee McGee for the fourth run of the inning making it a 6-4 ball game leaving HPU behind two runs.
 
With bases loaded, third basemen Kaden Kelley walked bringing around the fifth run for the Jackets.
 
HPU was able to hold off the Celts until the 9^th inning until Erik Garza from UST doubled to right center bringing in one more run, making it a 7-5 game.
 
The Jackets were unable to score, leaving it at a final 7-5 loss.
 
Seth Bowman led the Jackets with three hits and one RBI.
 
The Jackets will take on the Celts for the last two games of the series this Saturday, February 11^th at 12:00 and 3:00 PM at Don Shepard Park.