BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor softball team dropped an 11-0 contest to No. 1 University of Texas at Tyler Saturday afternoon in Belton. The loss dropped the Cru to 4-11 on the season and 3-9 in American Southwest Conference action while the Patriots improved to 11-2 overall and 9-0 in league play.
 
U.T.-Tyler opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning when Jackie Mendez hit an RBI single to score Raven Rodriguez. The Patriots added four more runs in the third with RBI from Bianca Van Vlerah and Lexi Ackroyd. Jackie Mendez again put the Patriots on the board in the top of the fourth inning, hitting a two-RBI home run to score Kursten Jaime. U.T.-Tyler added four more in the top of the fifth, including home runs from Raven Rodriguez and Jade Green to secure the 11-0 victory. Cori Drake, Kelsey Knox and Kasi Cummings were the only Crusaders to record hits against the Patriots. Karen Tennis took the loss in the circle for UMHB, pitching 2.2 innings with nine hits, five runs and three earned runs. Haley Parker and Kelsey Knox pitched in relief, combining for four hits, six runs and five earned runs. Kelsie Batten earned the win for U.T.-Tyler, pitching 4.2 innings with three hits and six strikeouts. UMHB totaled three hits and three errors while the Patriots had 13 hits and 11 errors.
 
UMHB continues play in a road series against the University of Texas at Dallas Friday, March 11^th – Saturday, March 12^th. The series opens Friday, March 11^th in a 4 p.m. single game and concludes Saturday, March 12^th in a 12 p.m. doubleheader in Richardson.