WICHITA, Kan. — Sticking with the top team in the Heartland Conference for a second straight day, the Newman softball team was tied or within one run for much of the game before falling to No. 10 St. Mary's 5-1 in their series finale Saturday afternoon at the Newman Softball Field.

The Jets (14-31, 4-14 Heartland) hung around for the entire game, as the Rattlers (35-9, 19-2 Heartland) slowly built their lead and extended it late to thwart any comeback attempt.

Newman held tight with St. Mary's through the opening innings, getting double plays in the first and the fourth innings to keep the guests offense from going off. The Rattlers did manage to score single runs in the third and fourth to go ahead, but the Jets answered right back in the bottom of the fourth.

Rachael Withers kicked things off in the frame with a double to left, but was still there after the next two batters grounded out. Kendra Mendoza didn't strand a runner though, lacing a single into center to score Withers and cut the lead to 2-1 after four.

Jensen Cromer, who got the start in the circle and was able to keep the Rattlers from putting up a big inning, worked around an error in the fifth to keep the deficit at one, but the Jets stranded two in the fifth after getting back-to-back singles from Taylor Mannis and Mikayla Medbery. St. Mary's cashed in on the momentum by scoring a pair of runs in the sixth, and would strand three Jets on base in the bottom of the inning to hold on.

Mendoza led the offense for Newman, going 3-for-3 at the plate with three singles, and knocking in the team's only run. Mannis, Medbery, Withers and Delaney Hiegert posted the Jets' other hits.

Newman takes the road for the final time this season against a nonconference opponent, heading to Pittsburg State for a doubleheader Wednesday.