ABILENE, Texas –  The Southwestern University softball team started the season strong by sweeping their first away game over the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls 6-4 and then winning 4-3 in the second game of the doubleheader.

In what seemed to be a combined effort with both defense and offense, the Pirates covered each other to garner the victory. In game one, the Pirates struggled to find runs in the first and second inning, however, senior pitcher Lindsey Longuet kept the Cowgirls at bay until their third baseman, Mason McCord, made an error allowing Kylie Nixon to score the first run for the Pirates. This lead to Katelyn Francis to score and shortly after Tori Montemayor would score, ending the third inning 3-0. 

Two more runs were made in the fourth inning when Andrea Hern doubled to left field letting Sydney Scott score and then Kaitlynn Copher singled to center field allowing Rylee Rudloff to earn the sixth run for the Pirates. 

The Cowgirls answered and scored their first two runs in the fourth inning, making the game 6-2. Longuet would end the first game only allowing seven hits and only two runs, earning her first win of the season.

In the second game against the Cowgirls, the Pirates started strong offensively with Scout stealing home to score the first run for the Pirates. Francis then singled to right-center to allowed Mefford to score the second run, earning Francis her second RBI of the season. Cowgirl Peyton Newman quickly singled to left field to score a run. However, Pirate pitcher Lexi Shafer took charge of the second game and kept the Cowgirls to three runs while the Pirates scored two more runs to end the game in a 4-3 Pirate victory. 

Head Coach Emerald Doria comments "I'm proud of the team, it's hard to go so long without playing an actual opponent and when that opportunity came they kept their composure and played well their first outing. We have some growing to do in all areas, but I like where we started."

The Pirates will have a quick turn around and play the McMurry War Hawks in a doubleheader tomorrow Sunday, Feb. 16, at 3 and 5 p.m. in Abilene, Texas. 

For more SU Pirate photos, please see Carlos Barron Photography