Box Score
Arkadelphia, Ark. – The softball team wrapped up their play in the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational Sunday morning. Henderson State defeated Southwest Baptist by a score of 9-3, moving the Bearcats to 0-5 (0-0 MIAA) to start the year.
 
The Bearcats generated some offense right off the bat. Paige St. Pierre, Sam Moran, Morgan McMullin, and Nicole Horstman each drew a walk. Horstman was credited with the RBI as the bases were loaded when she took the walk. The Reddies got a couple base runners in the bottom of the first, but Emily caught one trying to steal second.
 
SBU continued their hot offensive start, scoring two more in the second. Emily Hall walked to start the inning, followed by a Kori Hillenburg base hit bunt. Megan Schellert brought Emily Hall home on a double and advance Hillenburg to third. Lauren Strobel drove in Hillenburg on a sacrifice fly to left field, giving the Bearcats a 3-0 lead. The home team responded in the bottom of the third, scoring three as well. In the fourth, the Bearcats rallied several hits, but couldn't generate any runs.
 
The Reddies took the lead in their half of the fourth, scoring 4 runs to give them a 7-3 lead. The 5^th was quiet for both teams, but Henderson State scored another 2 runs in the 6^th, going up 9-3. Lauren Strobel and Sam Moran both hit singles in the 7^th, but couldn't come around to score, ending with a 9-3 final.
 
Kori Hillenburg went 3-3 with a run scored on the day. Sam Moran and Lauren Strobel both collected two hits, and Megan Schellert collected the other Bearcat hit.
 
The Bearcats play at home in their next appearance, taking on Missouri S&T on Saturday, February 9 at 12 PM and 2 PM.