MARSHALL, Texas - The Howard Payne University softball team fell, 8-0 in the third and conclusive game of a three-game series vs. East Texas Baptist University on Saturday afternoon.

After a quick four-run bottom of the first inning, the Lady Jackets (4-13-1) held their own vs. #3 ETBU (14-0) the rest of the way. But a late four-run rally in the game's final two innings helped to seal the 8-0 victory.

Head Coach Jose Mata, "I really feel that we put together some solid innings with our pitching and defense to one of the best offensive teams in the conference."

Freshmen pitcher Tonya Thompson pitched a complete game. Going for six innings and facing 31 batters on the day. Gabrielle Roque, Kayla Boucher, and Sabrina Ochoa each had one single apiece in the loss.

The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning behind some strong baserunning and a RBI home run from Gabby Gonzales. Tonya Thompson would go on to hold ETBU scoreless over the next three innings and help give the Lady Jackets a chance against a potent ETBU offense.

Howard Payne threatened to score in the top of the fourth after a leadoff single to right field from Gabrielle Roque got things started. Kayla Boucher responded with a single to leftfield and the Jackets had runners in scoring position. But the Tiger's pitching was able to force a groundout to end the inning.

The Tigers would go on to score one run in the bottom of the fifth and then added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull ahead for good and collect their 14th straight victory on the season.

The Lady Jackets will now return home to play host to Sul Ross State University during a three-game set, Game one and two will be played as a doubleheader on March 10th with the first game beginning at 1:00 PM.

If you can't make it out to Lady Jacket Field, we will be supplying a Facebook Live feed for the game at www.facebook.com/hpusports. Also, follow along on Twitter @HPUSoftball and on Instagram @HPUSports for in-game updates, interactive content and more.