ABILENE, Texas – In a marathon season opener that lasted 11 innings and featured 31 runs, 36 hits, and nine errors, the St. Thomas Celts came up just short, falling 16-15 to Hardin-Simmons in a thrilling contest at Hunter Field. . The game, which lasted over four hours, saw the Celts rally multiple times, including a five-run ninth inning to force extras, but a bases-loaded infield single by Hardin-Simmons' Knox Wilson in the bottom of the 11th sealed the win for the Cowboys. The Celts advance 0-1 for the season.
The Celts got off to a strong start, scoring a run in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. However, Hardin-Simmons responded quickly, plating two runs in the bottom of the frame. St. Thomas continued to battle, with Alex Trinh delivering a clutch two-run single in the third inning to cut the deficit to 4-3. But the Hardin Simmons crushed a grand slam in the bottom of the third to extend Hardin-Simmons' lead to 8-3.
The Celts refused to go quietly, as Tyler Mills launched a two-run home run in the fourth inning to keep the Celts within striking distance. Trailing 9-5, St. Thomas mounted another rally in the fifth, scoring three runs to narrow the gap to 9-8. However, the Cowboys struck again, this time with a sacrifice fly, and two more runs scored on wild pitches to push the Cowboys' lead to 12-8.
The Celts continued to chip away, scoring two runs in the seventh inning to make it 12-10. But Hardin Simmons' three-run homer in the eighth inning seemed to put the game out of reach, giving the Cowboysa 15-10 lead heading into the ninth.
St. Thomas saved its best for last, rallying for five runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 15. Dylan Lamb delivered the biggest blow of the inning, smashing a two-run triple to cap the comeback and send the game into extra innings.
Despite the heroic effort, the Celts were unable to push across a run in extras. Hardin-Simmons capitalized in the bottom of the 11th, and handed St. Thomas a heartbreaking loss.
Up Next
The Celts will look to bounce back in a noon doubleheader against Hardin-Simmons on Saturday at Hunter Field. Follow all the action and updates by following @USTCeltbaseball on Instagram.
