BOWLING GREEN, Ky - North Texas softball dropped the series finale with Western Kentucky Sunday 8-0 in five innings. The Hilltoppers (29-9, 12-3) scored four runs in the fifth to end the game. 

Hope Trautwein got the start going 1.2 innings allowing four earned runs. Bailey Tindell gave up the same in 3.0 innings. Trautwein struck out two while Tindell punched out one. 

"We just didn't throw real well to start the day," head coach Rodney DeLong said. "Credit their pitcher. She was good today and they beat us. The umpire's zone was wide." 

Harley Perella had the Mean Green's (26-15, 11-4) lone hit which came in the first inning going 1-for-3. Kelsey Aikey went the distance for the Hilltoppers striking out eight. 

"Obviously one hit is not going to get the job done," DeLong said.

The Hilltoppers got out front early with back-to-back home runs in the first - a two-run homer and then a solo shot. Another solo homer in the second put the Hiltoppers up 4-0. Four runs in the fifth put the run-rule in effect ending the game. 

North Texas returns to action on Wednesday with a home match up against Abilene Christian. The Mean Green remain in secon place in Conference USA West.

"We still control our own destiny," DeLong said. "We've got to go back to work Tuesday and go to the next series and win the next sereis. We'll be fine."