Box Score
SEARCY, ARK. – Jon David Glenn and Clay Kiihnl each drove in two runs and Harding downed University of the Ozarks 11-7 on Friday at Jerry Moore Field. The game was the Harding debut for Bison head coach Patrick McGaha, who came to Searcy after four years as head coach at College of the Ozarks in Branson, Mo. The game was the season opener for both teams.
Harding took advantage of five Ozarks errors to score six unearned runs. The Bisons posted five-run innings in both the third and the sixth. In the third, three Eagle errors led to four unearned runs for the Bisons. Three hits, including a run-scoring single by Glenn, and another Ozarks bobble gave Harding an 11-0 lead after six innings.
The Eagles found their hitting stroke off Harding reliever Jordan Blake in the top of the seventh, scoring six runs on five hits. Freshman Brian McCracklin pitched the final 2.2 innings, allowing only a single run in the eighth and striking out five.
The Bisons received strong starting pitching from senior Michael Davis (1-0). The Vancouver native went 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and striking out five. It was his ninth career victory.
Harding touched Ozarks starter Curt Dixon (0-1) for five runs (one earned) over 2.2 innings.
The Bisons collected 11 hits in the game. Four different players had two hits each. Catcher Caleb Hilton led the Eagles, going 3-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in.
Harding is back in action Saturday in a doubleheader against Evangel beginning at noon. The games will be the first ever between the schools on the baseball diamond.
