CLARKSVILLE, Ark.-The Howard Payne softball team held off a late rally by the University of the Ozarks to claim a 2-1 win in American Southwest Conference play Saturday afternoon.
    
Howard Payne would get one run in the third and one in the fourth. Erin McLeod singled and advanced to second on an error by centerfielder allowing Allison Eaton to score. Then in the 4th, Kennedy Coffin had a sacrifice fly to left field to score Amanda Cruddas.

With Howard Payne leading 2-0 going into the final frame, Ozarks had back to back singles to place runners on base. Then with two outs, a wild pitch allowed Ozarks to score to cut the HPU lead to 2-1. Then HPU relief pitcher Celese Tirres forced a ground out to end the game.

Tayler Rushing improved to 3-3 overall with the win in the start. Celese Tirres picked up the save throwing the final innning. Amanda Cruddas was 2-for-2 from the plate for the Lady Jackets.

Howard Payne stands at 8-15 overall and 4-13 in ASC play. Ozarks is now 8-13 overall and 6-11 league action. The Lady Jackets will play next Wednesday in Austin versus St Catherine University and then on Thursday and Friday at home versus Louisiana College.