SEARCY – The Harding softball team split with Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday in Great American Conference action winning the first game 4-3 before falling 7-1 in game two. The Lady Bisons won the series 3-1 after winning both games on Friday.

Harding improves to 18-15 overall and 10-10 in the GAC. The Cotton Blossoms improve to 19-14 overall and 10-10 in GAC action.

Game One

Arkansas-Monticello took a two run lead in the top of the third on three hits. Harding got one back in the bottom of the inning when Kimmy Hendricks knocked in Courtney Derrick from third. The Lady Bisons took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Marley Edwards singled which scored Kimmy Hendricks for the first run and then Madison Wickline hit a pinch hit double to knock in the second run. Arkansas-Monticello tied the game in the top of the sixth when Beth Johnson singled to center field that scored Hannah Pendley. Harding got the go ahead run in the bottom of the sixth when Hendricks drove in Kinsey Beck.

Hendricks, Edwards and Jessica Greene all had two hits for Harding. The Lady Bisons had 12 in the game.

Amber Rollins (10-6) got the win for Harding, pitching all seven innings. Rollins, who leads the GAC in strikeouts, struck out nine. Courtney Wilson (10-6) got the loss for the Cotton Blossoms.

Game Two

Harding got on the board first in the bottom of the first. Brookelynn Moon hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Courtney Derrick for the Lady Bisons. Arkansas-Monticello got the run back in the top of the second and took a 6-1 lead in the fifth inning when Kali Piha hit a grandslam to right center field. The Cotton Blossoms scored their last run in the top of the seventh.

The Lady Bisons had nine hits in the game but left seven runners on base.

Derrick went 3-for-3 for Harding.

Katie Slaughter (9-7) got the win for the Cotton Blossoms as she struck out five batters. Danielle Hubbard (7-8) got the loss for Harding, pitching four innings and struck out five.

Harding will back in action on Tuesday as the Lady Bisons host Arkansas Tech in a non-conference doubleheader that starts at 2 p.m.