The University of Texas of the Permian Basin softball team dropped a pair of non-conferece games Tuesday afternoon, stranding the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh in a 3-2 loss before suffering a 10-1 defeat to Abilene Christian.

UTPB nearly mounted a final inning comeback after falling behind 3-0. ACU scored the first run of the game in the top of the first and added two more in the top of the fifth.

The Falcons got on the scoreboard with one out in the bottom of the seventh as Cene Padilla singled to left with runners on the corners to score Amber Gutierrez from third and move Tomie Ellard to third while an error allowed Padilla to advance to second. Ellard came home to pull UTPB within a run at 3-2 on a wild pitch, leaving Padilla at third representing the tying run. She would be left stranded on base as the game ended as the Wildcats picked up the second out of the inning on a ground ball to the pitcher and ended the game on a strikeout.

Shelby Hall earned the win, throwing to all but one batter in allowing eight hits and two earned runs with no walks while striking out one. Caitlyn Crain picked up her second save of the season, striking out the lone batter she faced.

Desiree Valero pitched all seven innings for UTPB, giving up three runs, two earned, off of seven hits while walking just one in the outing to go with a pair of strikeouts.

Abilene Christian put UTPB in an early hole in game two scoring once in the top of the first before adding four more runs in the top of the second.

The Wildcats added another single run in the top of the fourth before plating four more runs in the fifth to lead 10-0.

UTPB scored one in the bottom of the fifth as Amber Gutierrez singled to right with one out and scored on a double by Kara Isbel.

The Falcons return to Heartland Conference action this weekend, traveling to San Antonio for a three game series against St. Mary's.