ABILENE, Texas – Hardin-Simmons used a four-run sixth inning and rolled past Arlington Baptist 10-3 on Tuesday evening at Hunter Field.
The Cowboys (8-7) pounded out 17 hits, including home runs from Justin Blancaflor and Mike Lozano, to secure the non-conference victory. Arlington Baptist fell to 4-9.
The Patriots took a 2-0 lead in the third inning despite not recording a hit in the frame. Vince Nandin was hit by a pitch and later scored on a bases-loaded walk by Cannon Harper. Keller Hensley followed with another RBI walk before Bradley Fletcher entered in relief and limited the damage.
Hardin-Simmons answered in the bottom of the third when Hunter Molinar scored on Jacob Hollingsworth's groundout. The Cowboys moved in front for good in the fourth. Molinar delivered a two-run single to left, scoring Gavin Bruning and Brock Calvillo for a 3-2 lead.
After Calvillo doubled home a run in the fifth, Hardin-Simmons broke the game open in the sixth. Ty McCoy singled to start the rally before Blancaflor launched a three-run homer to right field, pushing the advantage to 7-2. Calvillo added his second RBI double of the game later in the inning to make it 8-2.
Lozano extended the lead with a solo home run in the seventh, and Molinar followed with an RBI single to cap the Cowboys' scoring at 10-2.
Arlington Baptist's only hits came on Nathan Duvall's solo home run in the eighth and a single later in the game. Duvall accounted for two of the Patriots' three runs.
Blancaflor finished 2 for 5 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. Calvillo went 4 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Molinar added three hits and three RBIs.
Fletcher (1-0) earned the win in relief, tossing three and a third scoreless innings and allowing no hits. The Cowboys used five pitchers in the game, only allowing three runs on two hits. Corbyn Torti (2-3) took the loss after surrendering four runs in four and a third innings.
HSU will be back in action on Thursday afternoon to open a three-game road series against Southwestern. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. in Georgetown.
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