ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' softball team won 7-6 against the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets on Saturday in American Southwest Conference play on the Cowgirl Senior Day at Ellis Field.

The Cowgirls scored in the first inning after a Peyton Newman infield single to take the lead 1-0. Howard Payne got the run back to tie it in the third inning and added five more in the fourth to lead 6-1.

Aubrianna Salazar hit a sac fly to score the second Cowgirl run in the fourth inning. The Cowgirls trailed 6-2 in the fifth and Kate Tovar began the rally with an RBI single.

Karis Hessert doubled home two more runs to follow and Sarah Diessner drove in another with a deep sac fly to left. Salazar put the cherry on top for the Cowgirls and drove in the seventh run to take the lead 7-6, which HSU would hold onto for the win. 

Haven Williams started at pitcher for the Cowgirls and has three strikeouts. Kelly Shackelford came in for relief and Kaylen Washington finished for HSU with three strikeouts and no hits allowed in the final three innings to get the win.

Brittanie Henry had three hits in the leadoff spot to tie Newman for the team lead. Hessert and Salazar each drove in two runs for the Cowgirls who needed all seven for the win.

The Cowgirls improve to 13-16 and 9-8 in the conference while Howard Payne falls to 12-16 and 7-14 on the season in the ASC. The Cowgirl softball team will head to Belton to take on the Cru of UMHB starting Friday at 4 and 6 p.m.

--- www.hsuathletics.com ---