HOUSTON – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas split their four-game weekend series with Doane (Neb.) after taking the first of two games in a doubleheader Saturday.

At Houston Baptist University's Husky Field, UST claimed a walkoff 8-7 win in the opening game before Doane took the series finale by a score of 2-1.

The Celts open Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play next weekend when they visit Texas Lutheran. The first game of the series is scheduled for Friday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in Seguin.

Celts 8, Doane 7

Adam Scharf's two-out single in the bottom of the seventh that scored pinch runner Jacob Carriere from second base gave the Celts a thrilling, walkoff victory in Saturday's opener.

UST took a 7-5 lead into the top of the seventh, but Nate Mensik knocked a two-run home run to tie the game. In the bottom half of the inning, Doane reliever Jackson Stensgard retired the first two UST batters before Hunter Pachal and Leo Galvan knocked back-to-back singles; Carriere then pinch-ran for Pachal.

The Celts trailed 5-2 heading into the fifth but scored five runs in the inning to take their first lead of the game. Jason Brown's two-RBI single that scored Myles Simmons and Noah Martinez highlighted the inning.

Edward Gutierrez and Simmons knocked consecutive RBI doubles for the Celts in the bottom of the second inning.

Kalob Bacak pitched six and two-thirds innings for the Celts. Caleb DeSilets got the final out with the score tied in the seventh inning; his one pitch – a flyball to centerfield – earned him his second win of the season.

Doane 2, Celts 1

Brown and Doane's Brady McMurry engaged in a pitcher's duel for six innings before UST turned to the bullpen in the seventh as Pierce Taylor pitched a scoreless inning.

Brown took the hard-luck loss despite a stellar pitching performance, as he allowed only one earned run. McMurry tossed a complete game for the Tigers.

The Celts scored their lone run in the bottom of the fourth when Brown scored on a Doane error.