BROWNWOOD, Texas -
Kayla Boucher drove in her third home run of the season but the Howard Payne University softball team fell, 5-2 to Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday afternoon at Lady Jacket Park.
The Cowgirls (12-13, 9-12 ASC) used a four run third inning and a trio of pitchers to help get the series concluding victory. The Lady Jackets (5-21-1, 3-18 ASC) attempted a late rally in the final inning, scoring two runs only to see their rally stopped short and Hardin-Simmons hold on to capture the win.
Howard Payne out hit the Cowgirls, 9-8 and left eight runners on base throughout the contest.
Tiffany Hinkleman finished 2-3 with a double and
Tayler Rushing went 1-3 from the plate with a stolen base.
Hardin-Simmons scored one unearned run in the first inning after a throwing error led to a two out run crossing the plate. The Cowgirls bats would go quiet in the second inning only to explode for four runs in the top of the third inning.
A double to left center is how they led off the inning.
Audrey Simpson would settle down and force a groundout to the next batter. But Christa Garcia followed with a three RBI homer to left field. The two teams would settle down and exchange scoreless innings over the next three frames.
Kayla Boucher led off the final inning with a bomb over the left field wall and
Tiffany Hinkleman followed with a double to right center to give Howard Payne runners in scoring position with one out. A
Tonya Thompson single to left field brought in
Katlyn McCoy, who had just entered the game as a pinch runner for Hinkleman, to cut the deficit to three, 5-2.
But the score would stay that way as the Hardin-Simmons Pitching staff was able to settle down and force a popout to end the inning and pick up the series sweep with the 5-2 conclusion.
The Lady Jackets will be back in action next weekend as they head to Richardson, Texas for the first of a three game series. The first two games will be part of a doubleheader slated to begin at 2:00 PM. Live stats and other content can be found on HPUSports.com. Also, be sure to follow along on Twitter, @HPUSoftball, and also on Instagram, @HPUSports, for in-game updates, interactive content and more.
