BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor softball team split the day with Howard Payne University Friday afternoon in Belton. The Cru moved to 7-8 on the season and 1-4 in American Southwest Conference action while the Yellow Jackets moved to 8-9 overall and 1-4 in ASC play.
Howard Payne was first to score in game one with a home run to center field from Makayla Wesley. UMHB tacked on the equalizer in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from Bailey Frenzel to score Taylor Henken. The Yellow Jackets got on base in the top of the third inning, but a line-drive double play to Lindsey Polleschultz helped the Cru escape the frame unscathed.
The Cru took its first lead of the day on a Polleschultz triple to score Tori Skinner, Bailey Eggleston and Henken in the fifth inning. Frenzel followed that with a single to left field to drive in Polleschultz while Bralyn Belk brought the lead to 6-1, scoring on a fielder's choice.
UMHB continued scoring in the sixth frame with a groundout to score Eggleston before a Frenzel double brought Polleschultz home to go ahead 8-1. After a Madeline Stephenson walk, Gabriela Vela singled to left field, scoring Shorey Nguyen for the 9-1 run-rule.
Eileigh Whyte claimed the win for the Cru, pitching all six innings allowing just one run on seven hits with five strikeouts. Bree Cason took the loss for HPU, throwing five innings with six runs on seven hits. UMHB totaled 10 hits, led by Frenzel with four and three RBI.
The Cru was first on the board in game two with a Frenzel single to score Henken in the first inning. The Yellow Jackets knotted it up in the next frame with another solo home run.
After a perfect top of the fifth inning, UMHB broke the scoring drought in the bottom of the frame on a Frenzel RBI single to score Polleschultz. The Cru added one more in the frame when Bralyn Belk scored on a fielder's choice to go up 3-1.
The Yellow Jackets responded with an explosive sixth inning, recording a trio of doubles to take the 4-3 lead. UMHB held the Yellow Jackets through the top of the seventh, but could not overcome the deficit.
Chloee Mason took the loss for the Cru, pitching 5.2 innings with four runs on seven hits. Ella Gamblin and Eileigh Whyte also made appearances in the circle for UMHB. The Cru recorded seven hits in the contest, led by Frenzel with three hits and two RBI.
UMHB returns to action Saturday, March 16th in a 2:00 p.m. contest against Howard Payne University to close the three-game series in Belton.
