SEARCY – Harding sophomore Noah Chandler went 5-for-6 with two doubles and three runs scored to lead the Bisons to a doubleheader and series sweep of Northwestern Oklahoma on Sunday in Great American Conference action at Jerry Moore Field.

Harding improved to 19-13 overall and 11-7 in the GAC with the victories. The Bisons moved to fourth place in the conference, only two games back of leader Arkansas Tech. Harding plays a non-conference home game Tuesday against Union University from Jackson, Tenn. The Bisons next conference action is Apr. 4-5 at Southwestern Oklahoma.

Harding took a 4-1 lead into the sixth inning of the first game, but Northwestern Oklahoma (16-16, 5-13) scored four runs to take a 5-4 lead.

The Rangers advantage lasted only until the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Bisons scored five runs on five hits to take the lead for good. Chandler started the rally with a single and scored on Harrison Hunter's RBI ground out. The big blow of the inning was Matt Calhoun's two-out, two-run single to push across the fourth and fifth runs of the inning and make the score 9-4.

Calhoun was 2-for-5 with three RBI in the opener, hitting his team-leading fifth home run in the first inning. Chandler was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. James Anderson and John Chapman also had two hits in the game.

Logan Holthaus started for the Bisons and went 5 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked only one. Reliever Hunter Payne (1-1) earned his first win as a Bison with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. He allowed only one hit and struck out four.

Ranger reliever Christian Lafontan (1-2) suffered the loss. He allowed two runs in Harding's five-run seventh.

Harding trailed again in the second game. Northwestern took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth. The Bisons answered with three in the bottom of the inning and led the rest of the way.

With runners at second and third and two outs, Harding's Harrison Hunter hit a chopper over the head of Ranger pitcher Michael Morales. Anderson, who was at third, scored easily, but Chandler, the runner on second, rounded third too far and was caught off the bag. Ranger shortstop Christian Hammerl fielded the chopper and threw high to third baseman Patrick Hodges, who bobbled the throw, allowing Chandler to score with the tying run.

Chapman then singled to left and Hunter scored the eventual game-winning run. Hunter's sacrifice fly in the sixth scored Victor Guerra with Harding's final run.

Collin Campbell (5-1) earned the win, pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing five hits and two earned runs. Zac Stewart pitched 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, and Bronson Smith closed out the game with a scoreless seventh to earn his fourth save.

Michael Morales (2-2) pitched a complete game for the Ranger and suffered the loss.

Harding had eight hits in the second game. Chandler was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored.