SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College softball team held the lead for most of their Friday evening game against Southwestern University, but the 'Roos couldn't hang on in a 6-5 defeat against the Pirates at Old Settlers Park.

Kaitlyn Barrett launched a 3-run homer off of the scoreboard in the bottom of the first to put the 'Roos on top 3-0 early, but the Pirates got two unearned runs back in the second to cut it to a 3-2 game. Paige Shuck knocked in both runs, and tied things up with an RBI single in the sixth. Southwestern would end up taking the lead in that same inning, with Alex Fletes driving in a pair of runs to make it 5-3. 

Barrett belted a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth to cut it to a 5-4 game, but the Pirates would tack on another run in the top of the seventh to push the margin to 6-4. Chyrsi Hemby drove in a run in the bottom of the inning to cut it to a one run game, but that's as close as the 'Roos would manage to get in the team's final opportunity, wrapping things up at 6-5.

Hailie Swiatkowski took the loss for Austin College, giving up six runs - three earned - on 11 hits in 6.2 innings of work, and Madison Vela picked up the win for the Pirates after going the distance and allowing five runs - only one earned - on 10 hits. Barrett went 2-for-3 with two homers, two runs scored, and four RBI, and Hemby and Carrie Johnson each had a pair of hits.