BELTON, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor softball team split a midweek doubleheader with No. 1 Texas Lutheran University Wednesday evening in Belton. The win improved the Cru to 14-5 on the season while the Bulldogs fell to 17-4.
 
Texas Lutheran had runners on first and second in the top of the first but a double-play got UMHB out of the early jam. Sarah Metzer put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard in the top of the second with a two-RBI single. Texas Lutheran added two more runs in the top of the third on an RBI single from Laura Hernandez and an RBI double from Faith Hernandez. The Bulldogs added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning off a pair of RBI hits and an error. Texas Lutheran added on more run in the top of the sixth but UMHB mirrored in the bottom of the frame with a run from Lexi Harris. The Bulldogs added one more run in seventh to complete the 9-1 win.
 
Six Crusaders combined for hits while Harris scored the Cru's run. Bayleigh Grogan and Grayson Long split time in the circle for the Cru. Grogan went 2.2 innings with four runs on three hits while Long threw 4.1 innings with eight hits and five runs allowed. UMHB totaled one run on six hits with one error while the Bulldogs had nine runs on 11 hits with no errors.
 
The second contest played scoreless until the third inning when Texas Lutheran scored one run on an RBI single from Casey Martin. UMHB responded in the bottom of the fourth. Kennedy Kalka stole home before Julia Crofut slammed a home run over the right field wall, driving in two runs for a 3-1 Cru lead. Rachel Williams pitched out of a jam with a pair of base runners in the top of the seventh inning, securing the Cru's 3-1 over the top-ranked Bulldogs.
 
Eight Crusaders combined for hits while Crofut had a team-high two RBI. Rachel Williams pitched the complete game for the Cru, throwing seven innings with five hits and one run allowed. UMHB totaled three runs on eight hits while the Bulldogs had one run on five hits.
 
UMHB returns to action in an ASC road series next weekend in Richardson. The Cru takes on the Comets in a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Friday, March 18^th and closes the series with a noon single game on Saturday, March 19^th.