Cowgirls Split With Howard Payne

Game 1

Game 2

ABILENE, Texas -- Hardin-Simmons softball team split an American Southwest Conference doubleheader with Howard Payne on Friday afternoon at Ellis Field, winning 5-1 in the first game and falling 4-1 in the nightcap.

In the first game, the Cowgirls moved out to a 3-0 lead with a three-run third inning. Cera Beasley had a one-out single and Courtney Clark followed with a single to right. After a flyout, Taylor Namey singled home Beasley. Shayla Lee followed with a two-run double for the Cowgirls.

HPU scored a run in the fourth on a bases loaded passed ball. HSU came back with a two-run home run by Namey in the sixth.

Laura Rawlings started and went three and one-third innings, before being relived by Lacie Cole. Cole went the rest of the way to improve to 5-2 on the year. Jenna Middleton took her first loss of the season for the Lady Jackets to fall to 14-1.

Namey, Clark and Lee each had two hits for the Cowgirls and Namey had three RBIs and Lee two.

In the second game it was 1-1 until the seventh inning, when HPU scored three times. Lauren Bollich, Kate McLaughlin and Ashley Silva all had RBI singles in the inning for HPU.

Cera Beasley had the only RBI for the Cowgirls in the game. Sarah Shurbet went the distance and fell to 13-2 with the loss. McLaughlin went the distance scattering eight hits and striking out six.

HSU is now 25-9 on the year and 16-2 in ASC West action. Howard Payne is 26-6 on the year and 14-4 in league play. The two teams will play a noon doubleheader on Saturday.