AUSTIN, Texas - Taking the series 2-1, the Howard Payne University softball team secured an American Southwest Conference playoff spot for the first time in six years. The Lady Jackets dropped the finale 7-6 with Concordia University Texas Saturday after taking both games of the doubleheader on Friday. 

After leading 6-3, Howard Payne gave up four runs in the bottom of the seventh to fall to Concordia 7-6 in the weekend series finale.

With the game tied at 3-3 after four, the Lady Jackets got one run in the fifth on a single by Regan Noriega to gain a 4-3 advantage. In the sixth, it was a RBI single by Alexis Sullivan and a fielder's choice by Haley Slater that extended HPU's lead to 6-3 going into the final inning.

Three singles and a double by the Tornados in the final frame led to the 7-6 decision for Concordia.

Aurora Luera, Alexis Sullivan, Kayla Hill and Haley Slater each recorded two hits for the Lady Jackets. Hannah Stuart recorded the loss in relief throwing the final inning. Tia Campus went 4.0 innings in the start allowing three runs on six hits. Audrey Simpson went the middle 2.0 innings allowing two hits with two strikeouts.

HPU stands at 17-21 overall and 13-14 in American Southwest Conference action. Concordia finishes its season at 15-25 overall and 10-17 in league play. The Lady Jackets will take on the University of Texas at Dallas in the first round of the ASC Championship tournament on May 2nd at 10:00 am in Marshall, Texas.