ABILENE, Texas – The Howard Payne University softball team finished the game with the tying run at the plate in a 6-3 conference loss to Hardin-Simmons University Friday afternoon at Ellis Field.

Hardin-Simmons took the lead with a two-run homer in the second but Howard Payne tied the game in the fourth on RBI singles by Rachel Hitt and Gaby Muniz.

The Cowgirls regained the lead 4-2 in the fourth on another two-run homer.

After a single run by HSU in the sixth, Alicia Tanguma had an RBI single for the Lady Jackets in the seventh. HPU would still have a chance with the tying run at the plate, but a ground out ended the Lady Jacket rally with HPU stranding two on base to end the game.

Rachel Hitt and Sabrina Ochoa led Howard Payne with two hits each.

Celese Tirres took the loss allowing eight and five runs in four innings of work to fall to 9-11 on the year. Taylor Rushing worked the final two innings.

Howard Payne fell to 11-15 overall and 8-13 in ASC play. HSU is now 14-11 overall and 10-11 in league play. The Lady Jackets will play next on April 1-2 at the University of Texas at Dallas.