Box Score Box Score

SEARCY – East Central overcame 13 runners left on base to defeat Harding 5-2 on Sunday in Great American Conference play at Jerry Moore Field. The Tigers won the last two games of the series after 30th-ranked Harding took game one.

East Central (16-12, 5-3 GAC) took a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth. Following a Harding error with two outs, Joel Pirez doubled in a run and scored on Jonathan Ramos' single to center off Harding starter Lucas Waddell.

Harding (18-8, 3-3 GAC) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning but managed to score only one run. Kyler Offenbacker scored from third on Chase Presley's fielder's choice.

East Central starter Robert Buitrago (2-3) exited after wriggling out of the fifth. He allowed only three hits, two runs (one earned), and struck out two.

The Tigers added to their lead with two more runs in the ninth off Harding reliever Bronson Smith. East Central's Heath Stuckey allowed a hit and a walk in the bottom of the ninth but picked up his third save.

Waddell (3-1) allowed only one earned run and seven hits over six innings but took the loss.

Harding had six hits, with two each from Kyle Atkins and Anthony Guglielmi. The Bisons stranded nine runners.

Harding returns to action Wednesday for a single non-conference game against Arkansas-Monticello. The game begins at 2 p.m. and will be the final game of an eight-game home stand for the Bisons.