ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' Cowgirl softball team was ranked No. 25 in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) in the Division III poll, released on Tuesday.
The Cowgirls defeated Howard Payne soundly in four games of conference play last weekend to get to 31-4 on the season, and are set to host the defending national champion East Texas Baptist Tigers on Friday and Saturday at Ellis Field in Abilene.
Casey Wilson is having success in his second season as the Cowgirl head coach with big years from a host of Cowgirls.
Senior
Haley Henson set the record for runs scored all-time for the Cowgirl program. She is also batting .488 in the leadoff spot. Sophomore
Emily Jacobs is somehow hitting better than that with a season batting average of .545 heading into the weekend.
The Cowgirls picked up two newcomers who are having tremendous seasons in the circle. Freshman
Gabby Montanez is 16-0 with a 1.76 ERA in 103 innings pitched. She has 12 complete games and five shutouts with 52 strikeouts. Junior transfer
Akaysia Grogan has a 2.58 ERA in 70 innings pitched with a record of 10-1. Grogan has thrown eight complete games and 59 strikeouts. Opponents have a batting average of .228 and .191 going against Montanez and Grogan, respectively.
The Cowgirl offense has a team batting average of .383 in 2025, which is currently the best all-time by more than 30 points. The Cowgirl defense is also fielding the best in program history, with a fielding percentage of .977 this season.
The No. 25 Cowgirls will host the No. 1 ETBU Tigers for four games, with the series winner getting the right to host the ASC softball tournament the following week. The games are scheduled to begin Friday at 4/6 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., pending weather.
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