UT-Permian Basin softball matched St. Mary's in scoring over the first two innings, but the Rattlers struck with nine runs in the top of the fourth  in a 17-8 loss to St. Mary's Saturday afternoon at the UTPB Softball Field.

After allowing a pair in the first and six more runs in the second, UTPB responded by tying the game in both innings. Daisy Aguilar hit a bases-loaded single into right in the bottom of the first that scored Mallory Hall and Cyera Quintana.

Melissa Zugina got the scoring started in the second with an RBI single into center to drive in Raquel Carrasco. Later in the inning, Alyssa Lene came up with the bases loaded and drove everyone in with a garnd slam to right center to pull the Falcons within a run at 8-7. Aguilar tied the game at 8-8, scoring when Brianna Red reached on an error.

The Rattlers took the lead back in a big way in the fourth inning, needing just five hits to score nine times to go back on top 17-8.

Four different Falcons had a pair of hits on the afternoon (Hall, Zuniga, Aguilar, Zoe Murilo) as each of the first six batters in the lineup scored on the day.

UTPB is back at home early in the week, hosting Lubbock Christian Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m.