Box Score

SEARCY – Harding junior Chase Presley hit a three-run home run into a stiff wind, and sophomore Logan Holthaus remained unbeaten as the Bisons won game three of the series 7-2 over Southern Arkansas on Sunday at Jerry Moore Field.

It was the first time in 11 seasons in the Gulf South Conference that Harding won a three-game series against Southern Arkansas. The Bisons took game two of the series 4-3 on Saturday after losing game one 7-4.

The Bisons improved to 31-7 overall and 9-3 in the GSC West Division. Harding is in second place in the division with three conference series remaining. Southern Arkansas dropped to 22-13 overall and 6-6 in conference. The Muleriders are in fourth place in the division.

Harding led 4-1 going into the fourth. With one out, Charles Bradley reached on a bunt single and Paul Anzalone walked on four pitches. The first two pitches from Southern Arkansas reliever Jon Ervin missed the strike zone, and Presley sent the next pitch over the left field wall into a wind with gusts of over 25 miles per hour. It was Presley's third home run of the season and sixth hit of the series.

The Bison took an early lead with four runs in the first off Mulerider starter Joey Cifuentes (3-1). Billy Ninemire's two-run double was the key hit in the inning. Bradley and Presley also had RBI singles.

Holthaus (5-0) won his third conference game for the Bisons. He pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed only four hits and two earned runs. He struck out seven, one short of his season high. Freshman Bronson Smith allowed only one hit and struck out three over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Southern Arkansas scored single runs in the third and sixth innings, but their best scoring opportunity came in the first. The Muleriders loaded the bases with one out, but Holthaus induced a double-play ground ball from Chris Harrison to get the Bisons out of the inning. It was Harding's fourth double play of the series.

Harding had 10 hits in the game with two each coming from Presley, McCarver and Bradley. Southern Arkansas had only five hits. Logan Williams was 2-for-4.

The Bisons will be back in action Tuesday at Jerry Moore Field for a non-conference doubleheader against William Baptist. Cameron Walker and Alex Smith will start on the mound for Harding. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.