Nikki Brailsford drove in a pair of runs and Desiree Valero gave up just one run in seven innings inside the circle as UTPB softball closed out the regular season with a 2-1 victory over Newman Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the first pitch, the Falcons celebrated the careers of its four seniors playing in the final home game; Brailsford, Valero, Anna Hollingsworth and Taleas Marble.

Brailsford drove in both of the Falcons runs in the bottom of the first, singling to right field after Jennie Quam and Niki DiSera each singled to open up the game. 

Newman was left off of the scoreboard until the fifth inning when Missy Swanson flew out to deep center to score Hyedi Viehmann on a sacrifice fly for the inning's second out. The Jets had a chance to tie the game or take the lead, but left the go-ahead run stranded on first to end the inning. 

Newman had another chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh, but Valero got out of trouble with a ground ball to short and a foul out caught on a diving catch by Brailsford up against the fence to escape trouble and wrap up the one-run win.

Valero walked none on the day, allowing five hits and an unearned run to go with four strikeouts.

The Falcons will take on #1 seed and Heartland Conference Championship host St. Mary's next Thursday in San Antonio.