SEARCY – The Harding softball team split with East Central on Sunday in Great American Conference action. East Central won game one 12-2 and the Lady Bisons won game two 8-6. Harding won the series 3-1 after winning both games on Saturday.

Harding improved to 14-9 overall and 7-5 in the GAC. East Central improved to 14-11 overall and 6-6 in the GAC.

Game One

East Central opened the game with one run in the top of first inning and didn't look back as they scored one in the second, three in the third, one in the fourth and six in the fifth.

One of Harding's runs came in the second inning when Amanda Berdon hit her second homerun of the season. The second Lady Bison run came in the third when Mackenzie Jones walked with the bases loaded that scored Courtney Derrick.

Sydney Dow went 2-for-3 in the game for East Central as she drove in three. Gina Mengwasser went 3-for-4 with two RBI.

Sydney Dow got the win for East Central, pitching five innings. Dow gave up three hits and walked three. Amber Rollins got the loss for Harding, pitching only 2 1/3 innings.

Game Two

East Central again opened the game with a run in the top of the first. Harding answered back with four in the bottom of the inning. Courtney Derrick led off the inning with a hit and then stole second. Kinsey Beck walked. Brookelynn Moon singled through the left side on a perfectly placed bunt that scored Derrick. Harding scored its second run on a balk by the East Central. Hendricks then doubled that scored Moon. Carolyn Clayton hit another double that scored Hendricks. The Lady Bisons had five hits in the inning.

The Lady Tigers answered back with four runs in the top of the second, led by Lauren Reeves who hit a double that scored two runs.

East Central scored its final run in the third inning when Chelsea Patterson drove in Jordynn VanPelt from third.

In the bottom of the sixth, Harding tied the game and got the game winning runs as they scored four. Moon tied the game knocking in two runs when she doubled that scored Kinsey Beck and Madison Wickline. Carolyn Clayton then had a hit that scored the go ahead runs. Hendricks and Greene, who pitch ran for Moon scored on the hit.

Harding got two quick outs in the top of the seventh before giving up two hits to put runners at first and second. Amber Rollins struck out Lacey Williams to give Harding the victory.

Moon and Clayton both had three RBI in the game. Clayton went 4-for-4.

Rollins got the win for Harding (7-4), pitching 5 2/3 innings. She gave up eight hits, one run and struck out nine. Brianna Nunley got the loss for East Central.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Tuesday as they host Delta State in a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m., at the Harding softball field.