MARSHALL, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' baseball team beat Mary Hardin-Baylor 12-5 in an elimination game at the American Southwest Conference Tournament on Friday in Marshall.
 
The game started out with plenty of offense. Jacob Hollingsworth had an RBI single and HSU scored on an error in the top of the first inning. UMHB countered with three runs on a Riley Bender RBI double, a Shane Melick RBI groundout and an Alejandro Sanchez sacrifice fly.
 
HSU regained the lead in the third inning on a Brock Calvillo RBI single and a Hollingsworth sacrifice fly. HSU added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings on RBI singles by Luke Kirkbride and Jake Trapani.
 
UMHB cut the deficit to 6-5 in the fifth inning on an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly.
 
The bullpens then took over. Caleb Smith relieved HSU starter Bradley Fletcher and worked five scoreless innings allowing only two hits. He earned his first win of the season.
 
Jacob Haynes relieved James McGlumphy for UMHB. He worked three straight scoreless innings, before running into trouble in the ninth inning. McGlumphy took the loss allowing 12 hits and six runs in five innings.
 
HSU put the game away with a six-run outburst in the top of the ninth. HSU scored a run on an error and then another on an RBI squeeze bunt by Hollingsworth. Then Luke Kirkbride drilled a grand slam to left.
 
Justin Blancaflor led the Cowboys with four hits and Kirkbride drove in five runs.
 
HSU is now 13-25 on the year. UMHB ends its season with a record of 24-18. The Cowboys advance to the next round which will be played at a time to be determined on Saturday against the loser of the LeTourneau/East Texas Baptist game that will be played Friday evening.
 
 
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