CLINTON, Miss. – Hardin-Simmons' softball team won game five of the ASC Championship Tournament against Belhaven and lost to East Texas Baptist in game eight on Friday at the Mississippi College Softball Complex.

The Cowgirls advance to the semi-final elimination game against the UMHB Cru on Saturday at 11 a.m.

In game one, the Cowgirls knocked off the tournament host and No. 1 overall seed in the ASC Belhaven Blazers by a final score of 4-1.

Karis Hessert and Brittanie Henry each had RBI hits for the Cowgirls. Henry added two steals and took sole possession of the HSU Softball single season steals record as a freshman.

Kaylen Washington started at pitcher and had the win with one run on three hits. Brookelyn Casper came in and threw four innings of one-hit shutout softball to get the save for the Hardin-Simmons with three strikeouts.

In game two, the Cowgirls tied the ETBU Tigers at 1-1 in the second with an RBI from Sarah Polanco. The Tigers took a 7-2 lead before the Cowgirls answered with two in the sixth with RBIs from Mason McCord and Hessert.

ETBU would tack on another run and finish with an 8-4 win on Friday night. Washington started and had the loss while Kelly Shackelford came in to finish the game and allowed three hits and a run in three innings of work.

Washington and Aubrianna Salazar each had a pair of hits for the Cowgirls on the night.

The Cowgirl softball team moves to a record of 18-20 on the season and will play the UMHB Cru on Saturday at 11 a.m. for a chance to play in the ASC Championship game. 

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