Box Score
SEARCY – Ryan Moody and Adam Darby each drove in runs and Kenny Barnett pitched 8.1 strong innings to give Harding its first Gulf South Conference baseball victory of the season, 2-1 over Central Arkansas on Sunday.
Harding (8-11, 1-5) had five of its nine hits in the game in the seventh inning off UCA starter Andy Jackson. Jon David Glenn led off the inning with a double and scored on Moody’s single to left. Moody then stole second and crossed home plate when Darby bounced a single up the middle. Moody and Darby each had two hits for the Bisons.
Barnett (3-1) gave up a double to open the ninth to Matt Warren, his second hit of the game. One out later, he walked Roger Lenderman to bring the winning run to the plate. Jeff Davis came on for Barnett and Chris Houk singled down the left field line to bring in Warren, send Lenderman to third, and cut the lead to one.
With Scott Kline at the plate, Houk broke for second and intentionally got in a run-down. However, Lenderman never attempted to steal home and Harding first baseman Clay Kiihnl tagged out Houk for the second out. Cline then grounded to second baseman Zach Fisher for the final out. The save was Davis’ second of the season.
Jackson (1-3) kept the Bison hitters off balance for much of the game, striking out eight in seven innings. Barnett, who became the first Bison pitcher with three wins, allowed only five hits and fanned three for the Bisons.
The Bisons will take the next two days off before practicing late Wednesday night in preparation for Thursday’s non-conference game with Mid-America Nazarene. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Jerry Moore Field.
