STEPHENVILLE, Texas – The Harding softball team opened its season with a pair of wins on Saturday as they defeated Northeastern State 6-4 and Tarleton State 7-5 in the Tarleton State Tournament. It was Harding's first softball games since the University discontinued the program following the 1985 season.

Game One

After heading to the top of the seventh tied at three, the Lady Bisons scored three runs on three hits to get the win. With a runner at second and two outs freshman Amanda Berdon hit a single to center that drove in freshman Courtney Derrick to give Harding the lead. Berdon advanced to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Kimmy Hendricks drew the walk to put runners at first and second. Freshman Brooke Lynn Moon then singled to center driving in two more runs.

Northeastern State tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the inning but only managed to score only one run leaving two runners on base. The first two batters for the Riverhawks singled and then Saharra Henson drove in Northeastern State's run on a sacrifice fly. Harding then retired the next two batters to get the win.

Derrick led the Lady Bisons with three hits and an RBI. Kinsey Beck, Hendricks and Moon all had two hits for Harding.

Junior Amber Rollins got the win for Harding, pitching all seven innings, giving up eight hits and striking out 10. Sophomore Kayce Wooldridge received the loss for Northeastern State.

The Riverhawks (0-1) were led by freshman Lauren Flanary and senior Madison Reed who both had two hits.

Game Two

Harding got off to strong start scoring five runs in the top of the first. Freshman Marley Edwards knocked in two of the runs on a single to center field. The Lady Bisons had four hits in the inning and took advantage of Tarleton State's two errors.

The Texanns' first batter of the game, Melody Mayse, hit a homer to cut the Harding lead 5-1. After a Texanns' walk Bailee Mauldin doubled to right center to score for Tarleton State. Harding held the Texanns scoreless over the next five innings until Tarleton State scored three in the bottom of the seventh.

Harding scored one run in both the third and the fifth inning.

The Lady Bisons left seven runners on base and the Texanns left eight including the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh.

Kinsey Beck went 3-of-4 in the game, knocking in one run. Five other Harding players also had a hit.

Freshman Danielle Hubbard pitched six innings, walking four and striking out six earning the win for Harding. Freshman Megan Gipe came on in relief and got her first career save, striking out three batters. Taylor Wells pitched only a third of an inning and got the loss for Tarleton State.

The Lady Bisons will back in action on Sunday as they take on Emporia State at 3 p.m., in the third of five games they will play at the tournament.