HOUSTON – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas returned to the baseball diamond Friday and split a doubleheader with Doane (Neb.).

At Houston Baptist University's Husky Field, the Celts (6-10) took game one by a score of 9-4 before falling 9-2 in the second game.

The Celts conclude their series with Doane on Saturday with another doubleheader at Husky Field; both games are scheduled for seven innings. First pitch in the opening game is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Celts 9, Doane 4

UST scored nine unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth innings against its NAIA opponent as the Celts claimed a comeback victory.

Trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth, the Celts put their first two runners on base. After bunting his first two pitches foul, Noah Martinez laced a double to left field, scoring Edward Gutierrez and Caleb Edmonds. Martinez later came home on Jason Brown's RBI single.

The Celts continued to rally in the bottom of the sixth, thanks in no small part to Doane pitchers hitting five consecutive UST hitters. UST scored six runs on only two hits in the inning.

Gutierrez collected two hits in the game, while Martinez and Brown each had two RBIs.

Starting UST pitcher Josh Middleton allowed only one earned run over five and two-thirds innings while striking out six batters. Brady Miller picked up the win in relief for the Celts.

Doane 9, Celts 2

The visiting Tigers opened the second game with five runs in the first inning and never looked back.

The Celts scored their two runs in the bottom of the third inning on RBI singles by Kyle Bearden and Hunter Pachal. Pachal had two hits in the game.

UST's Gavin Rhoads allowed only one earned run in three innings of relief. Cole Grimes pitched a scoreless seventh for the Celts.