RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – It's one down, two to go for the Harding baseball team in its final Gulf South Conference series of the 2011 season.

Harding defeated Arkansas Tech 8-6 in game one of a scheduled doubleheader Saturday at Tech Field. The Bisons lead game two 6-2 with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Harding needed only one more out to make it an official game, but lightning brought the game to a halt.

The two teams will resume the suspended game Sunday at 11 a.m., and will play the third game of the series following game two's completion. There is a 90% chance of rain in Russellville on Sunday, so both games may be in doubt.

With its victory in game one, Harding took the lead in the GSC West Division. Harding, Delta State and Arkansas Tech entered the weekend tied for the top spot, but Delta State split two games with Henderson State to fall into second place.

Harding improved to 37-10 overall and 14-5 in conference play.

If Harding and Arkansas Tech are unable to complete tomorrow's games, Harding will earn its first Gulf South Conference West Division regular season championship by virtue of having the division's best winning percentage in conference games.

Senior Trent Kinnear was the catalyst for the Bisons in game one. He hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning and a solo home run in the eighth. It was his first career two-home run game.

The Bisons scored six of their eight runs in the final four innings to erase an early 4-2 deficit.

Sophomore Lucas Waddell (8-2) became just the fifth Harding pitcher ever to earn eight or more wins in a season. Waddell pitched 8 1/3 innings and allowed 10 hits and six earned runs. Billy Ninemire got the final two outs on a double play with the bases loaded to earn his second save.

Arkansas Tech starter Mason Reynolds (3-2) suffered the loss, allowing five earned runs in six innings.

Ninemire, Jeremy Bohnett, and Charles Bradley all had two hits for Harding, and Bradley drove in two runs.

In game two, Harding broke a 2-2 tie with three unearned runs in the third inning, and moved ahead 6-2 on Jason Nappi's solo home run in the fourth.

Harding starter Brodie Brumley allowed only three hits and two earned runs and struck out five before the game was halted.