CLEVELAND, Miss. – In a game that featured as many errors as hits, Harding fell 2-1 to No. 1-ranked Delta State on Wednesday at Boo Ferriss Field.

Harding (14-8), who defeated Delta State 12-2 in Searcy on Feb. 27, committed two errors in the seventh inning that allowed the Statesmen to score the eventual game-winning run with the benefit of a hit.

Delta State (22-4) led 1-0 after Tyler Aldridge's RBI double in the first inning. The lead held until the seventh.

Harding junior Matt Calhoun led off the inning with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner John Chapman. With one out, junior Erin McCarver singled to right field, and Chapman advanced to third on the base hit and scored when Delta State right fielder Jordan Chovanec's throw sailed wide of third base for an error.

The score did not stay tied long.

In the bottom of the seventh, Harding reliever Tyler Stanford walked Delta State leadoff hitter Josh Crowdus. Stanford's attempt to pick Crowdus off first eluded first baseman Alan Copeland and allowed Crowdus to move all the way to third.

Zac Stewart replaced Stanford and struck out the first batter he faced. Delta State's Sam Kidd then lofted a fly ball to shallow center field that was misplayed by Harding's Kyle Atkins, allowing Crowdus to score.

Harding had only two hits in the game--Atkins' single to lead off the game and McCarver's single in the seventh—and struck out a season-high 11 times. The Bisons also had four errors.

Delta State managed only four hits off Harding's five pitchers. Junior Bronson Smith started and went two innings, allowing a run on two hits. Freshman Collin Campbell then pitched four scoreless innings and gave up only two hits. Stanford (0-1) faced one hitter and took the loss. Stewart and Josh Spears both pitched one scoreless inning.

Delta State reliever Garrett Pickens (2-0) pitched the final three innings and picked up the win.

Harding is back in action in the Great American Conference this weekend against Arkansas-Monticello. The games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Searcy, but weather conditions could dictate changes in game dates, times, and location.