ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' softball team won its American Southwest Conference series against Howard Payne by taking the third game 6-3 on Friday afternoon at Ellis Field.

Lauren Williams put the Cowgirls on the board in the second with a two-run home run to left center. HPU tied the game in the fourth on RBI singles by Rachel Hitt and Gaby Muniz.

Kara LeLeux gave the Cowgirls a 4-2 lead in the fourth with her second home run of the series a two-run shot to left. Alexis Vines added an RBI double in the fourth.

M.J. Ledkins had an RBI single in the sixth for the Cowgirls and Alicia Tanguma had an RBI single for the Jackets in the seventh.

Williams had two of the 10 HSU hits and Rachel Hitt led HPU with two hits.

Tori Rodriguez improved to 8-7 with the win as she allowed three runs on seven hits in the complete-game win for the Cowgirls.

Celese Tirres took the loss allowing eight and five runs in four innings of work to fall to 9-11 on the year. Taylor Rushing worked the final two innings.

HSU is now 14-11 overall and 10-11 in league play. Howard Payne fell to 11-15 overall and 8-13 in ASC play. HSU plays at Belhaven next weekend in its next action.