MARSHALL, Texas – Although they would tie the game with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, it was not enough as the East Texas Baptist University baseball team dropped a 3-2 heartbreaking loss in eleven innings to Howard Payne University. The loss puts ETBU at 11-11 overall and 3-7 in conference play.

Landen Barns was ETBU's top producer with two hits, including the game-tying home run in the ninth inning. Blake Corbin started for ETBU and he would last six innings allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out three batters and walking two. Alek Arellano would pitch three innings of three-hit shutout ball with three strikeouts while Chad Boudreaux took the loss allowing one run on three hits in two innings while striking out four. Jay Holland was HPU's top hitter with three hits while John Killough had two runs batted in. Blake Laney would be the one to deliver the clutch home run to beat in the eleventh inning. Although Dylan Vilarios pitched nine innings allowing two runs on six hits and nine strikeouts, it was Brenden Clanton who picked up the win in relief with two innings allowing two hits and striking out two.

The first three innings would see each team struggle to get runs across. HPU would have runners in scoring position in each of the innings only for Corbin to get out of trouble each time. ETBU would then have their chances to score in the bottom of the second and third innings. But like the Yellow Jackets, they too failed to bring in the run. HPU would finally crack the scoreless game with a two-run double in the top of the fourth inning.

HPU would retire nine straight hitters from the third to fifth innings. But Bateman would lead off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single. After a stolen base and advancement to third, Bateman came home to score on a wild pitch to make it 2-1. HPU would continue to struggle with runners on base as they would leave the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning while they left two more runners on base in the eighth inning. This would come back to bite them as ETBU tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning on a solo home run by Barns.

With the score 2-2, the game went into extra innings. Boudreaux would hold the Yellow Jackets scoreless in the top of the tenth inning. ETBU would have a golden chance to score after a triple by Gartner. But he was left stranded as the game proceeded to the eleventh. With two outs in the top of the eleventh inning, HPU would get the go-ahead run on a solo home run at 3-2. Although ETBU did put the tying run on base in the bottom of the eleventh, HPU would hang on for the win.

ETBU will look to try and sweep the doubleheader tomorrow at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM.