Box - Game 1

Box - Game 2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Harding pitcher Justin Phillips (7-3) moved up in the record books today with a 5-0 shutout of Christian Brothers at Buc Field. Phillips' stellar performance included a modern day single-game Harding record 15 strikeouts. The lefthander managed his fifth career shutout, which is also a school record and his first career nine-inning shutout.

The Bisons were defeated by the Bucs in the second game of the doubleheader, 7-3. Harding improved to 25-17 overall and 2-9 in the Gulf South Conference while Christian Brothers moved to 19-20 overall and 3-7 in conference play, breaking a nine-game losing streak.

Phillips was helped at the plate, in the first game, by numerous hits by the Bisons, including Wisley Correa's three-run homer in the top of the fourth. Zach Fisher followed with a double in the fifth and Ryan Moody singled Fisher across the plate with one of his two hits in the game. Adam Darby singled to left field, scoring Moody for the 5-0 lead that the Bisons kept for the rest of the game.

Charlie Soukup (4-3) took the loss for the Bucs with a complete game and seven strikouts. The team totaled only four hits in game one, including two by rightfielder Ryne Dahlke.

Christian Brothers went ahead early with a run in the bottom of the first. The Bisons tied it up in the fourth with back-to-back doubles by Correa and Matt Stevens. A throwing error by CBU put the go-ahead run on first. Sacrifice bunts by Fisher and Moody, along with Randall Hunt's stolen base, put Hunt over the plate for the 2-1 lead. The Bucs proceeded to score three runs in each of the next two innings. Harding gave one last surge in the top of the seventh with back-to-back doubles by Bo Whitaker and Randall Hunt but could not garner enough momentum to overcome Christian Brothers.

Kenny Ellis took the game-two win for the Bucs with six strikouts and three walks. Troy Keith (4-3) started the game for the Bisons and suffered the loss with four innings of work. Aaron Davidson pitched two innings in relief and struck out two CBU batters.

Correa led Harding with four hits on the day and three RBI.

Harding plays Christian Brothers tomorrow (Saturday) for one nine-inning game to begin at 1:00 p.m. at Buc Field.

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