Clarksville, Ark.-The Lady Eagles' late inning rally Saturday came up short as Howard Payne University escaped with a 2-1 win in American Southwest Conference play.
    
Ozarks (8-13, 6-11 ASC) faced a 2-0 deficit going into the final frame, and quickly put two runners on base with no outs. Both Brooke Hoffsommer and Laken Gray recorded back-to-back singles to start the rally. A groundout advanced each runner into scoring position. With two outs, a wild pitch allowed Hoffsommer to score to trim the deficit to 2-1. However, with pinch runner Bethany Mason on third, Howard Payne (8-15, 4-13 ASC) relief pitcher Celese Tirres forced a ground out to end the game.

Howard Payne scratched across a run in the third and another in the fourth. The Yellow Jackets started to rally in the top of the seventh, but Ozarks' right fielder Erika Henderson halted it with a spectacular running catch for the second out. Ozarks didn't do itself any favors as it committed five errors in the defeat.

Ozarks outhit Howard Payne 7-5. Hannah Oler (1-5) went the distance to receive the loss. Hoffsommer paced Ozarks at the plate with 2-for-3 performance.

Ozarks will host Centenary College March 31 in a double-header beginning at 12:00 p.m.