LUBBOCK, Texas — Seeing what was a pitcher's duel open up into a back-and-forth slugfest, the Newman softball team fell to Lubbock Christian 9-5 in its season finale Saturday afternoon.

The Jets (18-35, 7-17 Heartland) got on the board first with a Taylor Mannis home run in the fifth, but the Lady Chaps (42-12, 19-5 Heartland) answered right away and were able to maintain a lead throughout the final two innings to hold off the challenge.

Newman starter Katie Ingles breezed through the first four innings, allowing just one runner to pass first base in keeping LCU off the board. The Jets took advantage in the top of the fifth, as Mannis cracked a two-out homer to left to break the scoreless tie. The Chaps answered with a big grand slam in the bottom half to grab the lead that they would hold onto the rest of the way.

The Jets didn't go quietly though, as singles by Courtney Sartin and Alyssa Taylor put two runners on with two outs in the sixth. Rachael Withers reached on an error to extend the inning and allow Sartin to score, and Taylor scampered home on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 4-3. The hosts answered once again though, putting up five runs in the bottom of the frame.

Sartin helped put a little bit of worry into the Chaps in the final half inning, blasting a two-run homer to left after Missy Swanson singled with one out to make it 9-5, but that's as close as the Jets would get.

Sartin finished her collegiate career with a 3-for-4 day, scoring twice and knocking in two runs, while Taylor went 2-for-4 and Mannis and Swanson each added a hit.

The Jets ended the season with a new program-best with their 18 victories.