ABILENE, Texas – Southwestern lost 12-6 at Hardin-Simmons on Tuesday afternoon.  The Pirates had a strong offensive showing and continued to battle throughout the game but came up short.  The 'Bucs struggled to contain Hardin-Simmons' Troy Nicholson, who went 4-5 with two homeruns, a double, six RBI, and scored three runs to lead the Cowboys to victory. 

Charlie Garrett started off the day well, taking the first pitch of the game to right field for a leadoff double.  Garrett later scored on a two-out single to left field from Jeff Glasgow to give the Pirates the early 1-0 lead.

Hardin-Simmons retaliated immediately with a three run homer to right center from Nicholson.  The Cowboys scored another run on a RBI single through the left side from Blare procuring the 4-1 lead after the first inning.

In the top of the third, Cray Betts got on base with a bunt single.  Glasgow followed with a home run shot down the right field line for his second and third RBI of the game to close within one run.

The bottom of the inning resulted in three more runs for the home team.  Nicholson singled through the right side for an RBI and later scored on a balk from Karl Mueller.  The third run of the inning scored on a wild pitch making it 7-3 in favor of Hardin-Simmons.

The Cowboys scored again in the fifth with a leadoff home run from Nicholson.  Later in the frame, Matthews singled through the left side and brought two more runs in to extend their lead to 10-3.

Southwestern fought back in the sixth, getting a single through the right side from Zachary Lynch.  Colby Dutton and Charlie Garrett drew consecutive two-out walks to load the bases.  Lynch scored on a single to center field by Heath Spencer.  The following batter, Betts, singled down the right field line to score two more Pirate runs. 

That would be as close as the 'Bucs got late in the game, as Hardin-Simmons added a run in the seventh and eighth innings resulting in the 12-6 final.  Southwestern was led by Jeff Glasgow who went 2-3 with a homerun, 3 RBI, and drew a pair of walks.  The Pirates are now 3-9 on the year and Hardin-Simmons moves to 3-1 following Tuesday's game.

The Pirates begin conference play this weekend as they host Austin College on Saturday, February 25^th at 2:00pm at Rockwall Field on the Southwestern Campus in Georgetown, Texas.