BROWNWOOD, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team was held to just two hits in an 8-0 loss to top ranked University of Texas at Tyler Saturday afternoon in conference play.

The Lady Jackets were able to to put the ball in play but only two for hits versus the number one ranked Patriots. UT-Tyler recorded 10 hits as a team. Howard Payne had two errors while UT-Tyler committed one.

The game remained scoreless till the third when UT-Tyler scored one on a single to the pitcher. The Patriots added three more runs in the fourth to gain a 4-0 advantage.

UT-Tyler scored four in the sixth and held Howard Payne to claim the game in six innings, 8-0.

Celese Tirres (7-8) got the loss in the start allowing four runs on six hits in five innings of work. Rachel Jackson faced four batters before Alicia Tanguma came in to finish out the game.

Celina Ortiz and Adrienne Sanchez each recorded a hit for the Lady Jackets.

Howard Payne is now 10-13 overall and 7-11 in American Southwest Conference action. #1 UT-Tyler stands at 20-2 overall and 12-0 in league play. The Lady Jackets will play next on March 24-25 at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.