ABILENE, Texas – McMurry University Softball opened a three-game series with crosstown rival Hardin-Simmons at Lou Morton Ellis Field in Abilene on Friday, as the Cowgirls took the first two games of the series.
HSU continued its strong season by improving to a 23-7 overall record, while the War Hawks remain above .500 at 16-14. HSU ties Mary Hardin-Baylor for third in the American Southwest Conference standings at 14-6, while McMurry remains well in the hunt at 10-12.
Game 1: HSU 3, McMurry 2
McMurry scored two early runs on a Mercedes Camacho double and a Brianna Martinez single, but three late runs by the Cowgirls led them to a 3-2 win in the series opener.
The tying and winning run came in the sixth inning off the bat of Karis Hessert – a two-run homer – to steal away the lead. Angelica Abila came up in the seventh with a leadoff single, but would be left stranded on second to end it.
Junior Jenna Lewis pitched a quality start despite the loss, allowing just three runs on seven hits without a walk in 6.0 innings. She also struck out four.
Senior Emily Michki went 2-for-4 in the first game to lead the way. Sophomore shortstop Grace Duecker joined sophomore outfield trio Abila, Camacho and Martinez with one hit each.
Game 2: HSU 7, McMurry 3
The nightcap started slow, but the Cowgirls posted five runs in the fourth inning to set up a 7-3 victory to clinch the series. McMurry rallied in the seventh with three runs, but stranded the tying run on deck.
Coming into Friday with just one hit on the season, freshman Jade Dickens had a memorable day at the plate with two singles and a double. She finished 3-for-4 and brought home Aliyah Tanguma in the seventh inning on an RBI single.
Senior Kasey Woolard started the seventh inning rally, putting her team on the scoreboard with an RBI single to score Duecker. Jessika Truax grounded home another with a fielder's choice before Dickens' two-out hit. The rally ended with another fielder's choice, leaving two on base.
Truax and Kelsey Ahart each had two-hit games, while Abila, Duecker, Michki and Woolard all had one hit at the top of the order. Both teams finished with 11 hits.
On Deck
The War Hawks will look to get one back tomorrow at noon at Lou Morton Ellis Field.
