HOUSTON – North Texas softball fell to Houston Baptist on Tuesday by a final of 8-6.
 
Nicole Ochotnicki hit a two out bases clearing single in the seventh inning but the Mean Green (25-13, 10-2) rally ultimately fell short. The Huskies (15-17, 4-10) struck for six runs in the fifth to erase a 2-0 North Texas lead.

"We really let down mentally today," head coach Rodney DeLong said. "Our mental effort was poor and we've got to be better than that. We had a chance to get back  in the game. We just had a couple bad mental at-bats. We just didn't get the job done."
 
HBU's first run came on a one out double down the left field line before a two-out single and a fielding error allowed the Huskies to take the lead at 3-2. Caitlyn Brockway hit a three-run home run to cap off the scoring in the fifth to put HBU up 6-2.
 
A two-run triple in sixth canceled out a pinch-hit RBI single from Jenna Goodrich and made the score 8-3 in favor of the home team. Ochotnicki cleared the loaded bases in the seventh, but the Mean Green's two out rally would not continue.
 
North Texas stranded nine runners while committing two errors. Hope Trautwein got the start going 4.2 innings allowing six runs on five hits, just one earned. She struck out two batters. Bailey Tindell relieved her going 1.1 innings allowing two runs, both earned.
 
Sally Gastelo continued to hit well going 2-for-3 and coming around to score. She also reached when she was hit by a pitch. She is now 5-for-13 with six RBI in four straight starts.
 
North Texas prepares for a crucial road Conference USA meeting with first place Western Kentucky over the weekend. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.

"We've got a good club," DeLong said. "We've played well in conference and it will be no different than any other week where we struggled in midweek. They'll come out and play hard and work hard in practice. I don't expect anything different."