WICHITA - A four-run ninth inning extinguished a comeback bid by the Newman baseball team, as the Jets dropped an 8-3 decision to No. 14 St. Mary's Saturday afternoon at McCarthy Field.

St. Mary's (25-6, 16-2 Heartland) went straight to work, tagging Newman (11-18, 5-13 Heartland) starter Ashton Hoffman for two runs on four hits, and took a 2-0 lead before the Jets could even make a plate appearance.

The Rattlers added two more runs in the fifth, and held Newman scoreless until the sixth, when the Jets made a run at St. Mary's. Jake Gaul opened the sixth inning with a single through the right side, then move to second when David Longmore sent a dribbler through the left side. A Mike Williams single to shortstop sent Gaul home for Newman's first run of the season. Longmore and Williams each scored when Thomas Robulack singled to left field, then moved to second on an attempt to throw Williams out out home. The throw was off the mark, and Williams plated Newman's third run of the game, and had pulled the Jets to within one, 4-3, heading into the seventh.

The Jets maintained that one-run deficit until the ninth inning, when the Rattlers struck for four runs on three hits, and staked themselves to the 8-3 lead they went on to win by.

Scot Palmer finished 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the Jets, while Longmore finished 2-for-5 with a run scored. Ashton Hoffman was tagged with the loss, giving up four earned runs on 10 hits in seven innings of work.

With the loss, the Jets fall to 11-18 on the season, and 5-13 in Heartland Conference play. Newman will return to action Friday, hosting Heartland Conference foe St. Edward's in a doubleheader. First pitch from McCarthy Field is slated for 5 p.m.