BELTON, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team fell 8-0 during five innings in the final game of a three game series vs. the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday afternoon in Belton.

The Lady Jackets (4-7-1, 2-4 ASC) finish the series having won one game out of the three game set against a very tough Cru (9-2, 4-2 ASC) team. Said Coach Mata after the game,"I'm proud of our team. It's just one of those things that happens in our sport you just keep playing hard and believe the team will get hot." 

Howard Payne received one hit apiece from Audrey Simpson (1-3,) Kody Glosson (1-2) and Kyra Chapa during the loss. Tonya Thompson pitched four innings, facing 24 batters while giving up just four earned runs on the day.

UMHB was able to score four runs to start the first inning and then responded by adding one more run in the bottom of the second to take an early 5-0 lead.

Howard Payne kept fighting though, down 5-0 Tonya Thompson would take to the circle and hold the Cru bats silent over two inning's. But UMHB responded with a three run fifth inning to carry themselves to their 

Next up for the Lady Jackets is a three-game home stand vs. Louisiana College beginning on Friday, February 24th with a two game double header. Game one will begin at 1:00 PM and Game two will follow shortly after the conclusion of game one. Follow along on Twitter @HPUSoftball and on Instagram @HPUSports for in-game updates, interactive content and more.