BELTON, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' softball tea dropped game three of an ASC series with UMHB on Sunday afternoon by a score of 9-2 at Dee Dillon Field.

The Cru started Grogan at pitcher in game three. She went five innings and gave up four hits with four strikeouts in the win. Rucker came in the last two innings and had one K for UMHB.

The Cowgirls started Kelly Shackelford who pitched five innings and had the loss with three strikeouts. Brookelyn Casper came in to finish the game only allowing one hit.

Mary Hardin-Baylor got three in the first inning to take an early lead. The Cru added two more in the fifth inning before the Cowgirls answered with two runs in the sixth.

Hardin-Simmons led of the sixth with a single by Brittanie Henry and Kate Tovar reached first being hit by a pitch. Karis Hessert singled to load the bases and the Cowgirls scored first on a wild pitch. Peyton Newman drove in the second run on a hard-hit ball to short to make it 5-2 UMHB.

The Cru pieced together four more runs in their half of the inning to get a 9-2 lead which the Cowgirls could not overcome.

The Cowgirls were led offensively by Henry with two hits in the leadoff spot. She added a steal and score a run for HSU. The Cru were led by Eggleston, who had three hits and two RBIs with two doubles on the day.

The Cowgirls finish the series 13-19 and 9-11 in the conference. UMHB moves to 22-12 and 16-8. The HSU softball team will play its last regular season series at that other Abilene school starting with a doubleheader on Friday at 3 p.m. on the southside. 

--- www.hsuathletics.com ---