JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven University softball returns to the diamond this weekend, traveling to Abilene, Texas to face Hardin-Simmons University. The Blazers and the Cowgirls will play a doubleheader Friday at 2 p.m. and a single game Saturday at 11 a.m. 

Belhaven (10-16) is coming off of a 3-2 week, sweeping Rust College in doubleheader action before taking one of three games from Sul Ross State.

Against Rust, the Blazers recorded 24 total runs, including a season-high 13 runs in the game one victory. Junior pitcher Valiree Blair picked up her first win of the season versus Rust, surrendering just one run in three innings. Blair then tossed her first complete game of the year in a 4-2 loss to Sul Ross. 

Four Belhaven players are batting at least .300 this season, led by Savannah Johnston's .395 average. Meg Garton is hitting .322, Mary Austin Barber is at .320 while Brooke Laigast comes in at .313. Garton and Makayla Reed have recorded a team-high 13 RBI each. 

As a team, Belhaven ranks fifth in the American Southwest Conference in doubles (36) and walks (75). In the circle, the Blazers rank fourth in strikeouts (109). 

The Green and Gold is still looking for its first true road win of the season. The Blazers have won four games away from their home venue of McLeod Field, but all four were played at a neutral site. 

Hardin-Simmons (12-15) has won 10 of its past 16 games, including five of their last six conference contests. The Cowgirls are coming off of two losses to Texas Lutheran on Monday. Prior to that, HSU earned a series sweep of Howard Payne. 

Hardin-Simmons owns a 3-8 record at home this season, and is returning to their home field this weekend for the first time since March 11. 

Sophomore outfielder Breanna Greer leads the Cowgirls with a .474 average and 15 runs scored. Junior outfielder Ashley Brown is hitting .379 and has stolen a team-high 16 bases, while senior catcher Lauren Williams has tallied three home runs and 12 RBI. 

As a team, Hardin-Simmons ranks fifth in the ASC in batting average (.301) and stolen bases (50), and sixth in ERA (3.95). Freshman pitcher Lexie Allen has a team-high five wins in the circle to go along with a 3.05 ERA. 

The Blazers swept the Cowgirls last season in Jackson, earning 9-0, 2-0 and 6-1 victories. 

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