ODESSA, Texas - The Newman softball team's bid for its first Heartland Conference win of the season came up one run short, as the Jets dropped a 3-2 decision to Texas-Permian Basin Friday afternoon in Odessa, Texas. The loss was the first of three losses for the Jets, who were dealt a three-game sweep by the Falcons.

Game 1: UTPB 3, Newman 2 (Friday, April 9)
It took three innings, but Texas-Permian Basin struck first in Friday's series opener. The Falcons notched a run in the third inning to take a 1-0 advantage, but Newman answered in the top of the fourth. After leading off the inning with a double down the right field line, Tracey Stafanski advanced to third on a Jill May single to center field, then scored on an Amy Schneider fielder's choice. The run sent the game into the bottom of the fourth tied at 1-1.

Not to be out-done, the Falcons added two runs in the home half of the fifth, and took a 3-1 advantage with two innings remaining. Newman answered with a run in the sixth when May scored after singling at the start of the inning, but the Jets couldn't muster another run, dropping a 3-2 decision to UTPB.

Stefanski and May each finished two-for-four with a run scored to lead the Jets offensively. In the circle, Allison Thummel went the distance, pitching six complete innings and giving up three earned runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out seven.

Game 2: UTPB 6, Newman 0 (Friday, April 9)
Kayla Bontrager's sixth inning double broke up a no-hitter by UTPB's Bailie Summers, but that was Newman's only hit of the game as the Falcons cruised to a 6-0 win over the Jets in the nightcap. While Summers kept the Jets guessing from the circle, UTPB scored two runs in the first inning, added three more in the third inning, and a solo run in the sixth en route to the 6-0 decision.

Erin Schmidt, Allison Thummel, and Danielle Cobb each spent time in the circle for the Jets, with Schmidt being dealt the loss after giving up five earned runs on eight hits.

Game 3: UTPB 9, Newman 1 (Saturday, April 10)
The Falcons scored early and often in Saturday's season finale. UTPB put up three runs in the first, added one in the second, and tacked on three more in the third to take a 7-0 lead.

After being silent in the first two frames, the Newman bats came to life in the third. Amy Bullerman and Jill May opened the inning with singles, giving the Jets runners on first and second with nobody out. After a Briana Hallacy strikeout, Amy Schneider walked to load the bases. The inning came to a close quickly, as Bullerman and May were thrown out at the play on back-to-back fielder's choice plays.

The Jets finally made their way onto the scoreboard in the fourth inning. After reaching on a throwing error at third base to open the inning, Lauren Rorebeck advanced to second on a passed ball, then scored when Bullerman grounded to shortstop, but that was Newman's only run of the game, as the Falcons picked up the 9-1 win in five innings.

The sweep drops Newman to 1-26 on the season, and 0-17 in Heartland Conference play, while the Falcons improve to 13-26 overall, and 4-11 in the Heartland Conference. The Jets are back in action Tuesday, hosting Texas Woman's University in a 5 p.m. contest at Newman Softball Field.