Marshall, Texas – Hardin-Simmons and East Texas Baptist came out on top on Day 1 of the 2026 American Southwest Conference Softball Championship, hosted by East Texas Baptist in Marshall.
Mary Hardin-Baylor and Howard Payne will meet in the first matchup on Saturday at 12:00 p.m., with the winner advancing to Game 5 and the loser facing elimination from the tournament. Later in the day, East Texas Baptist and Hardin-Simmons will square off at 3:00 p.m. with a spot in the championship game on the line.
Bracket
2026 Softball Championship Page
No. 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor 0, No. 2 Hardin-Simmons 5 | Box Score
Hardin-Simmons defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor 5-0 to advance to Friday's 3:00 p.m. match up at the ASC Softball Championship, riding a complete-game from Akaysia Grogan and timely offense from the middle of the lineup. Grogan held the Cru to just two hits over seven innings while striking out four, keeping UMHB off the board throughout the afternoon. Hardin-Simmons broke through with a three-run third inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Emily Jacobs.
Scoring Summary
3rd | Hardin-Simmons struck first when Madi Hubbard reached on a fielder’s choice that brought home Jazlynn Cantu for a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Emily Jacobs delivered a two-run double to left field, scoring Hubbard and Kinzley Cantu to extend the advantage to 3-0.
6th | The Cowboys added two more runs, beginning with a Jazlynn Cantu bunt single that scored Honor Knott. Kinzley Cantu followed with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Grace Thompson for the final 5-0 margin.
No. 4 Howard Payne 3, No. 1 East Texas Baptist 6 | Box Score
Howard Payne struck first in the second matchup of the day, but East Texas Baptist responded quickly and went on to defeat the Yellow Jackets 6-3. ETBU scored three runs in the 3rd inning and added runs in the 4th and 6th, while Alexis Kemp earned the win in relief pitching 5.2 innings. Howard Payne chipped away late with a 2-run 7th inning, but the Tigers rallied two outs for the win and the chance to advance to the finals with a win on Friday.
Scoring Summary
2nd | Howard Payne struck first when Brianna Warriner singled to right field, driving in Graciela Quiroz to take an early 1-0 lead.
3rd | East Texas Baptist answered with Ava Rodriguez doubling to left field to score Izabella Morales, tying the game. Makayla Menchue then singled to right, bringing home Emma Boren and Rodriguez to give ETBU a 3-1 lead.
4th | Rodriguez came through again with an RBI single to center, scoring Aleyna St. Jean and extending the lead to 4-1.
6th | The Tigers added two more runs, starting with Piper Morton drawing a bases-loaded walk to bring in St. Jean, followed by Emma Boren reaching on a fielder’s choice that allowed Ryan Stratman to score for a 6-1 advantage.
7th | Howard Payne made things interesting as Alyana Salazar scored on a throwing error, and Colbi Goodwin followed with an RBI single to center, cutting the deficit to 6-3 before ETBU closed out the win.