JACKSON, Miss. – Hardin-Simmons' softball team dropped two games to the Belhaven Blazers, 3-1 and 12-0, on Friday in the American Southwest Conference opener.

In game one the Blazers had seven hits to the Cowgirls' one. Belhaven scored three in the second thanks to an RBI triple by Anna McNeer and an RBI by Marlee Blackwell.

The Cowgirls got one back scoring on an error in the sixth inning but couldn't finish the comeback and fell 3-1.

Kaylen Washington started in the circle for the Cowgirls and had a couple strikeouts in the loss. Kelly Shackelford came in to finish the game for Hardin-Simmons.

Blazer pitcher Kennedy Carruth threw a complete game and mowed down the Cowgirl lineup with 12 strikeouts and only allowed one hit.

Brittanie Henry had the lone Cowgirl hit in the leadoff spot. Allie Gordon and Alayna Adams each had a pair of hits for Belhaven.

The Cowgirls continued their struggle at the plate in game two with one hit coming from Alex Guillory. The Blazers had nine hits, three from Cade Bass who had a homer and two RBIs.

The Blazers pieced together a few runs in the first two innings and added nine in the third to seal the lead at 12-0 to win.

The Cowgirls pitcher for game two was Brookelyn Casper to start who ended with the loss. Christina Blevins came in and Shakelford finished with three strikeouts in her two innings.

Jovi Jones started for Belhaven and gave up one hit in three plus innings with the win. Dallas Blaker came in to finish the game for the Blazers.

The Cowgirls fall to 0-4 and 0-2 in ASC play. The Blazers improve to 6-2 and 2-0 in conference. The third match of the series starts Saturday at 12 p.m. in Jackson.   

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