MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Facing down a doubleheader to start its season, the Newman softball team fell to Texas A&M-Commerce and Tarleton State on the first day of the SAU Softball Invitational Friday.

The Jets (0-2) saw Bayley Horsch reach base five times, with two hits, two hit by pitches and a walk, while Taylor Mannis and Erin Jankiewicz each added two hits on the day.

Texas A&M-Commerce (1-0) took an early lead in the second inning, but the Jets answered to tie it in the third, as Bayley Horsch walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch. The Lions opened up the offense late though, scoring six more runs in the final two innings to secure the victory.

Horsch reached base three times and stole a base to help fuel the Jets' offense.

Jensen Cromer started strong in the circle in her first start of the season, stranding runners and allowing just one run in the first four innings in the day's second game against Tarleton State (2-0), but the TexAnns scored three in the fifth to extend the lead.

Taylor Mannis knocked in Rachael Withers to score the first run for the Jets in the fifth, and they followed with two more in the sixth, as Ellise McGowan cracked a double down the left field line to plate a pair.

Horsch went 2-for-3 at the plate, and five others added a hit for Newman.

The Jets are back in action Saturday, facing host Southern Arkansas and A&M-Commerce.