ABILENE, Texas – The final regular season game didn't end as the No. 14-ranked East Texas Baptist University softball wanted as they fell to host Hardin-Simmons University, 2-1. ETBU finishes the regular season with an overall record of 31-8 and a 24-5 mark in American Southwest Conference play. They will open the ASC Tournament next Thursday as the #2 seed.

With the game tied at 1-1 and Hardin-Simmons batting in the bottom of the seventh, Jennifer Miller hit a single off ETBU starting pitcher Kelly Jo McLendon. After a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Truelove advanced pinch runner Ashley Brown to second, McLendon was relieved by Jayme Perez. With one away and Brown on second, a wild pitch advanced Brown to third base. Alexis Vines then drove in Brown with a single for the winning run, 2-1.

Earlier in the game, ETBU went ahead by a 1-0 margin in the fourth. Shelby Irlbeck hit a RBI single to plate pinch runner McKenzie Cain from third base. Hardin-Simmons would respond, however, in the bottom half of the inning on Christa Garcia's solo home run to lead off, tying the game at 1-1.

For ETBU, Irlbeck went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Linzie Lewis was 1-for-4 and stole her 15th base in as many attempts this season. In the circle, McLendon (11-6) took the loss for ETBU. She pitched 6 1/3 innings and gave up six hits and two runs (both earned). McLendon walked one, hit two batters and struck out three.

ETBU continues into the postseason next week, competing in the ASC Championship Tournament that will be hosted by the University of Texas-Tyler. As the No. 2-seeded team in the event, ETBU earns a first-round bye and will play on April 28, 4 p.m., against an opponent that has yet to be determined.