SEARCY – Sophomore infielder Marley Edwards went 6-for-7 with five RBIs as the Harding softball team swept Christian Brothers in non-conference action on Saturday to start its 2015 season. The Lady Bisons won 9-1 and 18-8 to start the season 2-0 for the second straight year.
GAME ONE
Harding got off to a great start as it scored two runs in the first inning when sophomore infielder Amanda Berdon hit a double that scored senior outfielder Carolyn Clayton and sophomore catcher Kimmy Hendricks.
The Lady Bisons tacked on another run in the second on a RBI single by sophomore outfielder Courtney Derrick to make it 3-0.
The Lady Bisons got more insurance runs, scoring two in the third, two in the fifth before Christian Brothers got on the board in the sixth.
Harding made it 8-1 in the bottom of the sixth after Hendricks hit a double that scored redshirt sophomore Emily Jones. Hendricks came around to score on a wild pitch that ended the game as the Lady Bisons won 9-1.
The Lady Bisons had 11 hits in the game. Hendricks, Berdon and Edwards each had two hits for Harding.
Senior pitcher Amber Rollins got the win, pitching six innings and struck out five batters. Christian Brothers' starter Kasey Beekman got the loss.
Harding had six doubles in the game to set a new school record. The Lady Bisons had five against Southwestern Oklahoma last season.
GAME TWO
Christian Brothers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a basses loaded walk and a Lauren Provence singled down the right field line. Harding answered back in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on a singles by Hendricks and Clayton.
Christian Brothers scored two more in the second to lead 5-2. Harding took its first lead of the game in the bottom half of the inning as it scored five runs on five hits.
After another Lady Bucs run in the third, Harding went on a scoring spree. The Lady Bisons scored nine runs on nine hits. Hendricks knocked a two-run homer and Edwards singled to center field that drove in two.
Harding scored two more in the fourth and then gave up two runs in the fifth.
Edwards went 4-for-4 with four RBIs in the game. Hendricks knocked in three runs and Courtney Derrick, Emily Jones and Mackenzie Jones each had two RBIs.
Harding's 18 runs set a new school record. The most the Lady Bisons scored last season was 13 at Northwestern Oklahoma. Harding also set a new school record with 17 hits. The Lady Bisons posted 16 against Rockhurst last season.
Sophomore pitcher Danielle Hubbard recorded her first win of the season coming on and pitching 3 2-3 innings. Kylie Steagall received the loss for Christian Brothers.
The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Friday and Saturday as they travel to Clearwater, Florida to participate in the Eckerd College Spring Invitation. Harding will face Nova Southeastern and Saint Leo on Friday and then face Lynn and Barry on Saturday.
