UTPB Softball clinched a return trip to the 2014 Heartland Conference Championships next week, opening its final series of the regular season with a 4-2 defeat against Newman. The Jets came back with a 1-0 shutout in game two of three for the weekend.

The Falcons scored all four of their runs in the first two innings and took a 1-0 lead out of the first when Nikki Brailsford wingled into left to drive home Taleas Marble from second.

UTPB added three more in the bottom of the second inning for a 4-1 advantage. Jennie Quam singled back up the middle with a pair of baserunners aboard to score Aurora Burks and Dee Gaona. Quam later came home on a Marble base hit through the right side of the infield for the team's fourth run of the day.

Desiree Valero earned her eighth win of the season for the Falcons, giving up single runs in the second and fifth innings. She allowed just four hits and a walk while striking out five Jets.

Jensen Cromer held the Falcons scoreless in game two and didn't give up a hit until the sixth inning as Newman earned a 1-0 win.

The Jets scored the only run of the game in the seventh when Sarah Balderas stole third with two outs and came in to score as the throw got into the outfield for a 1-0 lead.

The Falcons were able to get a pair of runners on base in the bottom half of the inning when Aurora Burks singled through the middle of the infield with two outs and advanced to second when Anna Hollingsworth reached first on an error at second, but both runners were stranded on a fly ball out to end the game.

Holly Herrington held the Jets to a single unearned run in the circle for UTPB, giving up only three hits and a walk while striking out seven in seven innings.

The teams meet Saturday at noon in the final regular season game for both sides.