SEARCY – Harding's pitching lived up to its preseason billing and led the Bisons to a pair of 3-1 victories over Maryville on Saturday at Jerry Moore Field. The games were the season openers for both teams.

Junior Logan Holthaus (1-0) allowed only one run in 6.0 innings and struck out three in the opener. Freshman Andrew Fiddler pitched 3.0 innings of hitless relief for the save.

Harding's first run came in the third without the benefit of a hit. With two outs, University of Arkansas transfer Kyle Atkins walked. He stole second base on the first pitch, third base on the next pitch, and scored when Maryville catcher Kyle Kinyon's throw went into left field.

Junior Gabe Fyock's RBI single in the fifth gave the Bisons a 2-0 lead.

Maryville plated its only run in the sixth on Bryce Basien's RBI single to center, but Atkins scored again for Harding in the bottom of the inning. He doubled, stole third and scored on Paul Anzalone's ground out.

Maryville starter Brandon Sarkissian (0-1) pitched well but suffered the loss. He allowed only two hits and one earned run in 4.2 innings.

Harding junior Hayden Shirley (1-0), coming off Tommy John surgery, gave the Bisons their second straight outstanding start. Shirley struck out the side in the first inning, had seven strikeouts total, and allowed only two hits and no runs in 5.0 innings.

Sophomore Bronson Smith allowed one unearned run in the sixth but picked up the save with 2.0 innings of relief.

Harding junior Anthony Guglielmi accounted for all three Bison runs in game two.

In the second inning, Guglielmi had a strange trip around the bases after singling with one out. He moved to second on a muffed pickoff attempt by Maryville first baseman Zach Bradford. He then advanced to third on a ground ball by Jeremy Bohnett, who reached on a throwing error. Guglielmi then scored on a balk by starter Brett Hancock.

In the fourth, Guglielmi again led off with a single. He went to third on Bohnett's base hit, and scored on an RBI groundout by Matt Calhoun.

Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Guglielmi walked with one out and scored on Bohnett's double to right center.

Hancock (0-1) allowed five hits and one earned run and took the loss for Maryville.

The two teams conclude the series Sunday at Jerry Moore Field with a nine-inning game beginning at 1 p.m.