BROWNWOOD, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl softball team rallied late to win 3-1 at Howard Payne on Friday to complete the three-game sweep in American Southwest Conference play.
 
The Cowgirls struggled early at the plate swinging into a headwind at Howard Payne and were held scoreless for six innings trailing 1-0.
 
In the final inning, the Cowgirls got the bases loaded after a bunt single by Erin Love. Kristen McMillan singled to score the tying run for the Cowgirls and make it 1-1.
 
Haley Henson hit a sac fly into center and drove in the go-ahead run for the Cowgirls to take the lead 2-1 in the seventh inning. Hardin-Simmons scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-1 heading to the bottom of the seventh inning, where the defense held for the 3-1 Cowgirl win. 
 
Kylie Ruiz was the starting pitcher for the Cowgirls and went four innings with five strikeouts and Jorey Hood took home the win with the late run support in the final three innings, throwing two strikeouts.
 
The Cowgirls finished with six hits on the breezy day in Brownwood. Lindsey Ratcliffe and Jazlynn Cantu each hit a double for Hardin-Simmons. Henson and McMillan each had one RBI.  
 
The Cowgirls finish off the sweep at Howard Payne and improve to 19-3 and 8-1 in ASC competition and will host the Mary Hardin-Baylor Cru on Friday April 5 in Abilene for two games starting at 4 p.m.
 
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