Abram Choate, SID

ABILENE, Texas - Howard Payne's softball team split a doubleheader with Hardin-Simmons, falling 7-1 and winning 13-5, at Ellis Field in American Southwest Conference action in Abilene.

Howard Payne finishes regular season 28-10 and 17-7 in ASC action.

HSU took an early lead in game one on a three-run home run in the first inning. Howard Payne came back with five runs in the third inning and added a single run in the fourth inning and three more in the fifth to take a 9-3 lead. HPU made it 13-3 with four runs in the seventh. HSU added two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

In the final game, HPU led 1-0 in the first inning on a Katelyn Gola RBI double. That was the only run for the Lady Jackets as HSU exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning.

Howard Payne will tavel to Irving's Southwest Park for the ASC Championship that begins on Thursday night at 6 p.m. HPU will play Louisiana College in the first round.