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AUSTIN – Despite out-hitting top-seeded St. Mary's 7-5 and committing three less errors, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin softball team fell 3-0 in the first round of the Heartland Conference Softball Tournament. 
 
The Rattlers needed just one inning – a three-run second to send the Falcons to the loser's bracket where they will take on the loser between St. Edward's and Texas A&M International at 1 p.m. tomorrow. 
 
St. Mary's had three of its hits in the inning, but an errant throw by the Falcons proved to be costly.  Christina Rodriguez led off the frame with a single up the middle before moving to third on the UTPB miscue.  Sarah Perez did most of the damage as her single up the middle scored two runs before Katie Nichols drove in the third run of the inning with a single to left. 
 
UTPB got two-hit performances from three different players and pitcher Desiree Valero held the league's top-hitting team to just five hits and two earned runs while striking out one.  The Falcons left eight runners on base including six in scoring position. 
 
If the Falcons win tomorrow's game, they will take on the winner between St. Mary's and St. Edward's or Texas A&M International at 3:30 p.m.