UT Permian Basin Softball came as close as they could to back-to-back no-hitters in their home opener on Tuesday.  Three Falcon pitchers combined to throw a pair of one-hitters while striking out 16.  Becky Berth went the distance in the opening game, fanning nine to tie her high as a Falcon.  Destini Trahan followed with six dominant innings before giving way to Cynthia Ng who needed only 10 pitches to close out the University of the Southwest.

The Falcons threatened early with runners in scoring position in the first and second innings of game one but couldn't push a run across.  The Mustangs started the third with a bunt single, their only hit off Berth, and a walk.  A throwing error allowed the pair to score and put the Falcons down two. 

Valerie Gonzalez beat out an infield single and advanced to second to start the third.  A walk to Aracely Araiza and a Lani Graft walk loaded the bases with only one out.  Ashlynn Bradley singled to left to plate two and tie the game.  Melayna Lopez followed with a single to right to score two more and put the Falcons up 4-2.  That's all Berth needed as she allowed just two runners over the final four innings of work for the win.

Not to be outdone, Trahan allowed just one hit in fourth inning of game two.  The Falcons took momentum early, scoring on the second batter of the game.  Gonzalez singled, stole a base, and moved to third on a wild pitch all within the first four pitches of the contest.  Leslie Martinez singled her home for the early lead.  Later in the inning the Falcons loaded the bases for Bradley who brought home Martinez on a sac fly.

Bradley drove in another run in the third after a Mustang error extended the inning.  She'd come around to score on a single by Sydney Bishop to push the lead to four.  The Falcons had a chance to blow things open in the sixth, but Graft was robbed of a single on a line drive at the pitcher for an inning ending double play.  Martinez scored earlier in the inning after Aracely Araiza reached on an error.  Ng struck out one in one inning of work for the 5-0 win.

The offense had 20 hits on the afternoon.  Gonzalez and Bishop had four apiece while Araiza, Bradley, Lopez, and Martinez had multiple hits on the day.  The Falcons were also aggressive on the bases swiping five between the two games. 

The Falcons are back in action this weekend with five games in Allen starting Friday.  Download the UTPB Athletics App for the latest news on your favorite Falcon teams.