SHREVEPORT,LA-  The UST Celts wrapped up their three-game conference series against Centenary with a doubleheader split on Saturday, taking Game 1 with a 3-2 victory before falling 8-7 in a back-and-forth Game 2. The results move the Celts to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in SCAC conference 

Game 1: UST 3, Centenary 2

The first game was a pitcher's duel early, with both teams held scoreless through the first two innings. The Celts broke through in the top of the third, scoring three runs to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Jarod Smith got things started with an single, driving in Ryan Ratajczak. Alex Trinh followed with a double to left field, allowing Eduardo Tamez to score, and A. Andersen grounded out to second base, bringing home Smith.

Centenary responded in the bottom of the third, scoring a run to cut the deficit to 3-1. The game remained tight, with neither team scoring again until the bottom of the seventh, when the Gents plated another run to make it 3-2. However, the Celts' defense held strong in the eighth and ninth innings, securing the narrow victory.

Game 2: UST 7, Centenary 8

The second game started with the Celts taking an early lead. In the top of the second inning, Gabe Garner singled to drive in D. McKee, and J. Torres followed with a fly to score Dylan Lamb, making it 2-0. St. Thomas extended their lead in the top of the third, as McKee tripled to center field, driving in Trinh and Tyler Mills to push the score to 5-0. The Celts added another run in the top of the fourth, with Mills singling to bring home a run and make it 6-0.

Centenary began to chip away in the bottom of the fourth, hitting a solo home run to make it 6-1. After a scoreless fifth inning, the Gents exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 6-6.

The Celts regained the lead in the top of the seventh when Jarod Smith scored, but Centenary responded in the bottom of the eighth, plating two runs to take an 8-7 lead. St. Thomas was unable to mount a comeback in the ninth, falling just short in the series finale.

Up Next

The Celts will return home to host their first home games of the season against the University of Dallas at Sam Houston Field. The three-game series begins on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Follow all the action and updates by following @USTCeltbaseball on Instagram.