ABILENE, Texas – Playing a day later due to weather on Saturday, the #2 East Texas Baptist University softball team suffered their first American Southwest Conference loss of the season to Hardin-Simmons University, 10-8. ETBU is now 32-2 and 23-1 in the ASC
 
Daniella Solis (two RBI) was the top hitter for ETBU with four hits on the day while Kaitlin Hunter had three RBI on two hits, including a homer. Beatriz Lara started for the Tigers, but could only last 3.2 innings as she ended up allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out seven. Preslye Cox wound up with the loss as she went 2.2 innings allowing four runs on four hits with a strikeout.
 
ETBU kicked off the scoring with a pair of homers by Hunter (two-run) and Solis for an early 3-0 lead. The Cowgirls would get a run back on a solo shot in the bottom of the first. Two innings later, Solis made it 4-1 with an RBI single. But that was countered by a three-run bottom of the third for HSU, who tied the game at 4-4. HSU then took the lead in the fourth with a two-run double to lead 6-4.
 
Hunter and Corley Carpenter would bring the Tigers back up in front with RBI knocks to push ETBU ahead 7-6. Yet, HSU rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. One inning later, the Cowgirls would shoot ahead as a solo homer gave them an 8-7 edge. The Tigers would put the first two runners on base in the top of the seventh before Emily Deramus tied up the ballgame with a sacrifice fly. HSU would then end the game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
The Tigers will return to Taylor Field for their final home series against the University of Texas-Tyler Patriots on Thursday and Friday. The first two games will be this Thursday at 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.