The University of Texas of the Permian Basin softball team suffered a 4-1 loss against St. Mary's in its first game of the 2013 Heartland Conference Softball Championships and will now face Texas A&M International Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the first elimination game of the weekend.

The top-ranked Rattlers struck first in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of a fielding error and a hit batter that put a pair of runners on base. Both scored on a triple into right center by Jared Gonzalez to take a 2-0 lead.

Jackie Guzman got a run back for UTPB in its next chance at the plate, singling to right to score Amber Gutierrez in what ended up being the team's only run of the game.

St. Mary's added a pair of insurance runs, getting one in the bottom of the second and adding a fourth in the fifth.

The Falcons were able to get runners on base but had trouble bringing them in, ending the game with nine total runners stranded on base at the end of innings, including a pair as the game ended in the top of the seventh with the tying run at the plate.

Maricela Bissaro recorded the victory for St. Mary's, allowing one earned run in four innings off of three hits and three walks. Vianna Gutierrez earned her second save of the season in a three inning appearance, giving up two hits and one walk in a scoreless outing.

Desiree Valero took the loss for UTPB, giving up a pair of earned runs on 11 hits with no walks in six innings of action.