BROWNWOOD, TEXAS – The Howard Payne University softball team lost two games to Hardin-Simmons University today 1-9 and 1-5 to start their weekend conference series with the Cowgirls.

Game One  

Hardin-Simmons started off hot scoring three runs in the first inning with two singles and one home run. The Lady Jackets were able to hold off the Cowgirls and scored 1one run in the 4^th inning making it a 3-1 ballgame.  

Howard Payne got on the board with a double to right center from freshman Elaine Gonzalez which brought in Madison Forrester.  

Hardin-Simmons scored six more runs in the 5^th inning giving them the lead. The Lady Jackets were unable to score, dropping the first game 9-1.  

Madison Forrester, Elaine Gonzalez, and Deandra Longoria all went 1-for-2 at the plate.  

Isabella Buckley recorded the loss pitching 4.2 innings allowing 8 runs and 9 hits.  

Game Two  

Hardin-Simmons scored two runs in the first inning, and three in the second making it a 5-0 lead.  

The Lady Jackets scored one run in the 4^th inning with putting them on the board.  

Howard Payne was unable to score again, dropping the second game of the series 5-1.  

Bree Cason went the distance in the start for the Lady Jackets allowing five runs on six hits and striking out eight.

The Lady Jackets will face the Cowgirls in the last game of the series tomorrow at 12 pm at the Lady Jackets Park in Brownwood, Texas.