CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Harding softball team struggled on the opening day of the Eckerd Spring Invitational on Friday. The Lady Bisons fell to Nova Southeastern 5-4 to open the tournament and then fell to Saint Leo 4-1 in the night cap. Harding falls to 2-2 on the season.

GAME ONE

After the Lady Bisons took a 4-0 lead, Nova Southeastern (3-1) scored three in the bottom of the six and two in the bottom of the seventh to get the 5-4 win.

Te Reo Powhiri Matautia got things started for Nova Southeastern in the bottom of the seventh with a single and then advanced to second on a throwing error by Harding's catcher. Carly Comito hit a single up the middle that scored Matautia to tie the game. After a sacrifice bunt to move Comito to second, Maegan Lee doubled up the middle which drove in Comito for the winning run.

Emily Jones drove in Harding's first run in the first inning. The Lady Bisons scored their three runs in the third. Carolyn Clayton knocked in Jones from third and then Amanda Berdon reached on a fielder's choice that scored Kimmy Hendricks. Brookelynn Moon drove in Harding's final run.

Rebecca Thornton got the win for Nova Southeastern, pitching two innings and striking out four. Senior Amber Rollins got the loss for Harding (1-1). Rollins went the distance striking out six batters but gave up 10 hits.

GAME TWO

Saint Leo (3-1) held Harding to only two hits as the Lions defeated the Lady Bisons 4-1.

Saint Leo scored two runs in the top of the first inning on two doubles and then tacked on one in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Harding got on the board in the fifth inning when freshman Kylie Stephens singled down the left field line to knock in Brookelynn Moon from second for her first collegiate RBI.  

Samantha Tyler picked up her first win of the season for Saint Leo. Danielle Hubbard got the loss and falls to 1-1 on the season. Hubbard pitched all seven innings and give up 10 hits.

Harding will be back in action on Saturday when they face Lynn at 11 a.m., and then Barry at 1:30 p.m.