ALPINE, Texas - The Howard Payne softball team fell behind early and fell, 5-4, in the first game of their three-game American Southwest Conference series at Lobo Field Friday. The second game of Friday's doubleheader was postponed after a hard rainstorm inundated the field.

Sul Ross took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning scoring on two singles and fielder choice after a Howard Payne fielding error.,

The Lady Jackets got on the board in the second inning on back-to-back singles by catcher Amanda Cruddas and third baseman Cherita George to make it 3-1.

Sul Ross State extended its lead adding two more runs in the fifth on two RBI singles.

HPU answered back when George reached on an error in the sixth, and shortstop Kodi Glosson doubled her home with two outs to make it 5-2.

The Lady Jackets would then start a late rally when McLeod and Cruddas worked walks in the seventh. Sul Ross changed pitchers and gave up singles to George and pitcher Taylor Rushing to make it 5-4. But the Lobos forced Adrienne Sanchez to fly out to left to end the game.

HPU's Tayler Rushing took the complete game loss allowing five runs on eight hits. Adrienne Sanchez and Cherita George each finished 2-for-4 from the plate with Gorge adding two RBI.,

The Lady Jackets are 8-21 overall and 4-17 in ASC action. Sul Ross stands at,3-21 overall and 3-17 in league play. The teams will compete their series with a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 12 noon.