• Box Score

SEARCY - Crichton College had three pitchers turn in strong efforts, and the Comets got some timely hitting to defeat Harding 7-3 in non-conference baseball action Wednesday at Jerry Moore Field.

Crichton (18-11) took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-out, bases loaded single to right center by Matt Gore. Harding (19-19) answered with a solo home run by Adam Darby, his team-leading ninth home run of the season in the bottom of the inning.

Crichton made it 3-1 with a run in the fifth, but Harding again battled back to cut the lead to a single run as Wisley Correa's RBI double in the sixth made it 3-1. But the Comets tacked on another run in the eighth on David Ellison's solo home run and scored three more, all unearned in the ninth. Harding scored a run in the bottom of the ninth on Donny Stephens' RBI double but got no closer.

Harding used seven pitchers in the game, and they combined to strike out 12. Senior Dakota Gardner started and pitched 3.0 shutout innings. Senior Brian McCrackin (0-1) allowed three runs in his inning of work and suffered the loss.

Crichton starter Chris Garrett went 4.0 innings and allowed only three hits and struck out five. Jesse Butler (3-2) made his first relief appearance of the season and picked up the win. He pitched 2.0 innings, allowed one run and two hits. Jeff DeLeon earned a three-inning save, his second of the season, striking out five.

Harding is back in action Saturday in a Gulf South Conference doubleheader at Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tenn.