BROWNWOOD, TX (03.06.20) - The UT Dallas softball team scored in the 1st inning of each half of a Friday doubleheader against Howard Payne, but could not hold on for a win in either game, falling 9-1 and 2-1 in American Southwest Conference play.

UTD (4-12, 2-6 ASC) took a 1-0 lead in its first at bat in Game 1, scoring on a Matee Simon walk, sacrifice bunt and RBI single from Elizabeth Brann. But the Lady Jackets rallied to tie in the 2nd and then erupted for a five-run 3rd against starter Hope Quinones (1-6) HPU tacked on two more in the 4th, then got the run-rule win with a single run in the bottom of the 6th. 

In Game 2, a Simon single, Nicole Peters walk and a Brann walk loaded the bases, setting the stage for a sacrifice fly from Megan Todd that scored Simon to stake the Comets to another early advantage. The lead held until the 4th when a leadoff double against starter Devyn Yanello moved around the bases and tied the game on a sacrifice fly. Back-to-back singles in the 6th put two runners on, but the Comets got the second out of the inning at third base. A fielding error followed and the go-ahead run scored on the throw to give HPU the Friday sweep, 2-1.

Simon had a pair of hits in both games, going 4-for-6 and scoring twice.