ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons closed out its season-opening series with a decisive offensive surge Saturday, taking two of three games from St. Thomas (Texas) after splitting a doubleheader at Hunter Field.
After dropping the opener 7–5, the Cowboys responded with a dominant 13–3 run-rule win in the nightcap, riding a 15-hit outburst and a steady pitching effort to secure the series.
The Cowboys flipped the script in Game 2, erupting for four runs in the third, three in the fourth, and five in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Hollingsworth powered the middle innings, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a two-run double in the fifth and an RBI groundout earlier in the game.
Justin Blancaflor stayed hot, adding two more hits, an RBI double, and a walk, while
Paul Samaripa delivered a pivotal two-run double in the fifth and scored three times.
Catcher Ridings matched him with a three-hit performance of his own, and
Benji Fielder reached base three times and scored three runs.
On the mound, freshman
Jeron Flores earned the win with four innings of work, striking out four while allowing three runs in his collegiate debut. Relievers
Ethan Cloudt and
Garrett Keller combined for three scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing no hits.
For St. Thomas, Miguel Acosta drove in all three runs and Michael Martinez took the loss.
In Game 1, Hardin-Simmons (2–1) couldn't overcome a chaotic fifth inning in which St. Thomas scored five times, capitalizing on multiple wild pitches and an errant throw.
Despite the setback, the Cowboys stayed within reach thanks to
Justin Blancaflor, who turned in one of the day's best individual performances. The junior center fielder tripled, homered, and drove in two runs, finishing 3-for-4 with three runs scored. His two-run shot in the fifth cut the deficit to 6–4, but HSU couldn't fully recover.
Catcher Ridings added two hits, including a double, while
Brock Calvillo and
Jacob Hollingsworth each drove in a run. HSU's bullpen steadied things after the fifth, with
Kannon Baird allowing just one run over 2? innings, but the early damage held up.
St. Thomas (1–2) was led by Tyler Mills, who went 3-for-4 with a double, and Jace Christian, who reached base four times and drove in a run. Starter Armonda Rocha earned the win, and Gilberto Arreozola recorded the save.
With the series victory secured, Hardin-Simmons now turns its attention to the road. The Cowboys travel to the University of the Ozarks on Friday as they continue non-conference play.
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