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BROWNWOOD, Texas — Hardin-Simmons' softball team split an American Southwest Conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Lady Jacket Park in Brownwood, winning the opener 9-5 and losing the nightcap in a 10-0 run-rule shortened game.
In the first game, the Cowgirls jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Blair Wallace RBI double in the first inning. The Cowgirls made it 4-0 with a three-run home run by Carley Willis in the second inning.
Howard Payne tied the game at 4-4 with four runs in the third inning. Evangelina Tellez led off the inning with a home run, Tylene Middleton had a two-run single and Shandi Winstead added an RBI single.
HSU responded with four runs in the fourth inning. Mac Clay led off the inning with a solo home run and three batters later Taylor Namey hit a three-run shot to make it 8-4. The home run was the 33rd of Namey's career which gives her the Hardin-Simmons school record.
HPU scored a run on a pair of HSU errors in the fifth inning, but HSU held on for the victory.
Wallace went the distance in the circle, scattering nine hits over seven innings. She allowed four earned runs and struck out seven to improve to 12-7 on the year. Kayla Carrillo took the loss as she allowed nine earned runs on 13 hits.
Clay and Willis each had three hits and Willis drove in four runs to pace the Cowgirls. Tellez, Middleton and Kimble Luna each had two hits for Howard Payne.
In the second game, Howard Payne exploded with four runs in the first inning. Jessica Morales had an RBI single, Middleton hit a two-run home run and Carissa Zarate had an RBI single.
HPU added four more runs in the second inning. Morales had a three-run double and Winstead had a sacrifice fly. HPU added two more runs in the third and the game was called after four and a half innings.
Four different Cowgirls had one hit each. Sarah Shurbet took the loss to fall to 9-8. She allowed six runs and five hits in one-plus inning of work. Brittany Acosta worked the final three innings. Trumble scattered four hits in the shutout for Howard Payne.
Hardin-Simmons is now 21-15 overall and 14-8 in ASC action. Howard Payne improved to 19-17 overall and 13-9 in league play. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon. HSU needs one win to clinch a spot in the ASC Tournament next weekend.
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