TYLER, Texas – West Texas A&M softball couldn't overcome timely hitting by the UT Tyler Patriots on Saturday afternoon as the Lady Buffs fell to the fourth-ranked Patriots, 6-1. WT slipped to 15-3 with the loss and 6-3 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
The Patriots struck first in the bottom of the second inning after the leadoff hitter reached on a walk. UT Tyler's next hitter dropped a ball onto the infield dirt but beat the throw out at first. With first and second base occupied, the Patriots' Courtney Plocheck doubled over the head of WT right fielder Julie Guzman, scoring the first run of the game. UT Tyler looked to put more on the board, but Kyra Lair came out of the bullpen to retire the side.
 
After the Patriots added to their lead in the third on a two-run home run, Lair settled in and sat down the next three batters she faced.
 
Leading off the top of the fifth inning, Braeland Booth put the Lady Buffs on the score board, giving WT momentum. Booth pulled a ball foul on the first pitch before connecting with the next and sending it over the left-field fence. The Patriots answered the Lady Buffs' runs in the bottom half of the inning on a two-out triple to center field. Another double to the left-center gap pushed across a run, bringing the score to 6-1.
 
The Lady Buffs placed runners on base in the sixth, moving them into scoring position as the inning went on. On a ground ball to third, Malaya Delfin attempted to score, but the Patriot defense cut down the run and stopped the WT momentum. In their final at bat, the Lady Buffs couldn't bring a run around to extend their chance at the plate.
 
WT returns to Schaeffer Park for a mid-week series with Midwestern State on Tuesday, March 7 with a 6 p.m. first pitch. On Wednesday, the Lady Buffs and Mustangs start a doubleheader at 1 p.m.