ABILENE, Texas  — Hardin-Simmons' softball team finished off its American Southwest Conference sweep over Howard Payne with a 4-1 win on Friday afternoon at Ellis Field.

HSU jumped on the board in the first inning when Mac Clay had an RBI single. Carley Willis made it 2-0 in the fourth with her first home run of the season.

Clay, a senior playing her last home game, belted a two-run home run in the sixth inning in her final home at-bat of her career.

Emily Hardaway worked five shutout innings to improve to 9-8 on the year. She allowed just two hits. Lara Ammermann allowed one unearned run in two innings of work to record the save.

Tayler Rushing took the loss allowing four runs on six hits.

Clay had two of HSU's six hits and three different HPU batters had one hit each.

HSU has won 14 game in a row at Ellis Field and improved to 21-14 on the year and 18-12 in league play. Howard Payne fell to 6-28 overall and 5-25 in conference play. HSU plays at Mary Hardin-Baylor next weekend to close out the regular season.

--- www.hsuathletics.com ---