Baseball threw the first pitch of their spring season this Friday afternoon against Howard Payne. In the single header today, the Celts won the game taking down the Yellowjackets 7-5.

The Celts were the first to score a run in this season as after Kyle Bearden was hit by pitch, a sacrifice bunt, and error by Howard Payne's short stop advanced him all the way to third base. It was then Erik Garza hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Bearden to get St. Thomas on the board. After a quiet second inning, Cameron McClure got his first hit of the season with a single, then Garza drove him in to put St. Thomas up 2-0. Then in the sixth inning, the Celts only added to their score after a Mason Seay double started a four run rally. Powered by three hits and a Howard Payne error, it was this the Celts headed into the seventh up 6-0.

In the seventh inning, the Yellowjackets finally started to jump back into the game. Four hits and three Celt errors nearly tied the game as Howard Payne cut their deficit to 6-5. Pitcher Jacob Mead got St. Thomas out of the jam before the score was tied. After a scoreless eight inning from both teams, the Celts added one run of insurance as Erik Garza knocked in his third of the day, scoring Cam McClure. This was enough to hold off Howard Payne's comeback and secure the 7-5 opening day victory. 

On the mound for St. Thomas was Chris Parsons. Parsons went five innings without allowing a single run and limited the Yellowjackets to just three hits while fanning four batters. Of the six relievers, Brady Watson had a standout performance going one inning with two strikeouts. Finally, "The Kloser" Kameron Craig picked up his first save of the season going 1.1 innings allowing just one hit to prevent Howard Payne from getting back in the game.

Up next, it's a doubleheader for St. Thomas as they go for the series sweep against Howard Payne. The first pitch is set for 12 PM with game two to follow at 3 PM. Follow UST athletics for all scores and updates.