Harding vs. Missouri Western State
When: Feb. 7 at noon (DH), Feb. 8 at 1 p.m.
Where: Jerry Moore Field, Searcy, Ark.
Series: Missouri Western leads 5-3
Harding Notes
Harding looks to build on a solid start to the 2015 season this weekend as it hosts Missouri Western for a three-game series beginning Saturday with a noon doubleheader and concluding Sunday with a single game at 1 p.m.
Harding opened the season with consecutive shutouts over No. 33 Augustana, winning the opener 22-0 and game two 1-0. It was the first time Harding recorded shutouts in both games of a doubleheader since blanking Southwest Baptist 2-0 and 10-0 in the 2004 season.
Harding's 22 runs in the opener were the most ever scored by the Bisons in a game at Jerry Moore Field. Harding scored seven runs in the sixth inning and added 10 runs in the seventh inning. Junior shortstop John Chapman led the offensive attack with a career-high four hits, including a double. He also had three runs and three RBIs. Junior Davis Richardson doubled twice, scored twice, and drove in four runs.
Harding won the second game when Harrison Hunter scored from third base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Junior Collin Campbell pitched 5 1-3 scoreless innings to earn the win in the opener, and three Harding relievers completed the shutout. Junior Andrew Fiddler pitched six scoreless innings in game two with Jacob Stripling pitching the final two innings and earning the win.
Harding's pitchers limited Augustana to a .175 batting average. The Vikings had only four at-bats with runners in scoring position in the two games and went 0-for-4 in those at-bats.
Missouri Western Notes
Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph and is a member of the MIAA. The Griffons were picked to finish fourth in the MIAA preseason coaches' poll.
Missouri Western opened the season by splitting a pair of doubleheaders against Arkansas Tech in Russellville. The Griffons hit .282 in the series and scored 25 runs but hurt themselves with 11 errors that led to 13 unearned runs. Missouri Western's pitchers had a 3.77 ERA and struck out 19 in 31.0 innings.
Trevor LaHonta, a senior outfielder from Walnut Creek, California, led the Griffon offense, hitting .471 (8-for-17) in the series.
Series
Missouri Western leads the series 5-3. The Griffons won three of four games against the Bisons in 2009, the last time the teams met. Harding swept a doubleheader in Searcy in 2008, and Missouri Western swept a doubleheader in 2006.
