ABILENE, Texas — Hardin-Simmons' softball team swept Howard Payne in an American Southwest Conference softball doubleheader Friday at Ellis Field, winning the opener 11-3 in six innings before taking game two, 13-5 in five innings.
HSU piled up 13 hits and stole ten bases in a complete all-around offensive performance.
Freshman
Kinzley Cantu set the tone at the top of the lineup, going 3-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, and two stolen bases, while scoring three times.
Bailey Miller drove in four runs on a 3-for-4 day, including a double, and
Emily Jacobs added two hits, two runs scored, and two steals.
Ella Salinas finished 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, a walk, and two stolen bases.
The Cowgirls scored in each of the first three innings, added two more in the fifth, then broke it open with a six-run sixth to trigger the run rule.
Howard Payne's biggest swing came from Siannah Nava, who launched a three-run home run in the fifth to tie the game 3-3.
Hardin-Simmons answered right back with Salinas and Miller both delivering RBI doubles in the bottom of the fifth. Miller ended the game in the sixth with a two RBI single.
Akaysia Grogan earned the win in the circle, improving to 6-1, tossing a complete-game four-hitter. She allowed three runs, struck out four, and worked around five free passes and hit batters.
Paris Mederez picked up the loss for Howard Payne, going five and a third innings, allowing 11 runs, with only seven of those being earned.
In game two, Hardin-Simmons broke open a close game with nine runs over the second and third innings and defeated Howard Payne 13-5 in five innings Friday evening at Ellis Field.
Howard Payne scored three times in the top of the first, but Hardin-Simmons answered with one run in the bottom half before taking control. HSU plated five runs in the second inning and added four more in the third to build a 10-4 lead.
Hardin-Simmons finished with 16 hits.
Alyssa Lusk went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and a triple.
Ella Salinas was 2 for 2 and drove in four runs.
Kinzley Cantu added two hits and scored three runs.
Howard Payne had nine hits in the loss. Abeni Nava drove in two runs, while McKeanne Saenz and Makayla Dunn each had an RBI.
Hardin-Simmons split the work between two pitchers in the win.
Gabby Montanez started and handled the early innings before
Bree Battenfelder came on in relief to finish the five-inning game. The Cowgirls' staff combined to allow nine hits and five runs while striking out four. Battenfelder picked up the win and improved her record to 2-0.
Howard Payne used two pitchers in the loss. Ava Aviles started and worked one inning, allowing three hits and four earned runs while striking out one. Alyssa Silva followed with three and two-thirds innings in relief, surrendering 13 hits and nine earned runs with one strikeout. Aviles dropped to 0-5 with the loss.
Hardin-Simmons improved to 17-7 on the year and 3-3 in ASC play, while Howard Payne fell to 2-26 and 0-6 in ASC play. The two teams will finish the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at Noon. The Cowgirls will honor their seniors before the start of the first game.
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