BELTON, Texas - Two multi-run fifth innings, one in each game, were the demise of the Southwestern softball team on Friday afternoon at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Crusaders scored five runs in the fifth to defeat SU 8-2 in game one and three in the game two to win 3-0. 

The Pirates found themselves down early in game one as UMHB scored one run in the first and added two more in the third before Southwestern started the scoring. SU posted one run in the top of the fifth when Taylor Turpin's (pictured) hustling baserunning allowed her to score on Jessica Bryant's single.

Mary Hardin-Baylor had a five run answer in the bottom half of the inning to go up 8-1. Southwestern added another run in the sixth and held the Cru on defense but couldn't start a rally in the seventh despite a leadoff double by Haley Hughes.

Maus garnered the loss after allowing eight runs on nine hits. Turpin had a strong outing at the plate going 3-4 with one run scored in game one.

Both teams were able to get runners on base at the outset of game two but the scoreboard remained blank through four innings. Lauren Zearfoss threw well throughout the game, keeping UMHB off-balance, until they found her rhythm in the fifth when the Cru scored three runs, the only of the game, with two outs.

The Pirates got a runner on in both the sixth and seventh innings, but couldn't spark a rally to steal the win. Zearfoss received the loss, allowing three unearned runs on four hits while striking out three and walking five. Jacquelin Rosson and Kaitlyn Pavlicek were the only Pirates to record hits in game two.

With the losses Southwestern falls to 0-4 on the year. They continue to work their way through the American Southwest Conference, heading to Abilene on Saturday to face Hardin-Simmons University.