UT Permian Basin softball used a big third inning Friday night to pick up its first Lone Star Conference win of the season, defeating Eastern New Mexico 9-1 in five innings at the UTPB Softball Field.

UTPB (12-22, 1-12)  got three in the bottom of the first when starting pitcher Maritza Rojas drove in the first run of the game to score Lizzie Souza. Alexis Watson added two more runs on a two-run double to right for the 3-0 early advantage.

UT Permian Basin did the majority of its damage in the third. Berzoza scored the first of the frame on an RBI single by April Arellano. Watson came in to score on a throwing error on an infield hit by Aubree Avilla. A pair of extra base hits each drove in two, a double by Souza and a triple to center by Rojas for the 9-1 lead.

Rojas improved to 5-6 on the season in the circle, allowing a single run on four Greyhound hits. She struck out four and walked none over five innings.

Rojas and Berzoza each went 2-3 at the plate, Rojas driving in three and Berzoza scoring twice.

The two teams continue the three game set Saturday afternoon, with first pitch in game one set for 1 p.m.