CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Harding softball team fell in the final two games of the Eckerd Spring Invitational. The Lady Bisons fell to Lynn 5-4 and then Barry 9-3. Harding is now 2-4 on the season.
GAME ONE
Harding jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning but gave up four runs in the final four innings to fall to Lynn in non-conference action 5-4.
After a single, Kaci Vassall doubled to right field to put runners on second and third with one out. The next Lynn batter walked to load the bases. With bases loaded, Cherise McEn was hit by a pitch that drove in the winning run.
Six different Lady Bisons had hits the game. Sophomore Amanda Berdon hit a two-run home run in the top of the first for Harding. It was Berdon's first of the season. Sophomores Kimmy Hendricks and Maegan Hall had the Lady Bison two other RBI.
Francais Ole got the win for Lynn, pitching all seven innings and had seven strikeouts. Sophomore Danielle Hubbard got the loss for Harding in 2 1-3 innings. Senior Amber Rollins started for Harding but only pitched four innings.
GAME TWO
Barry took control of the game in a hurry scoring five runs in the first three innings. The Buccaneers scored three more in the fifth before Harding got on the board in the bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded, Harding's Brookleynn Moon hit a single down the left field line that knocked in two runs to make it 8-2.
Barry tacked on another run in the seventh on one hit and one error.
Kimmy Hendricks hit a triple to center field to start things off for Harding in the bottom of the seventh. Carolyn Clayton grounded out but Hendricks was able to score on the play. Two pop-ups ended the game for the Lady Bisons.
Harding gave up 13 hits in the game and had four errors.
Haley Wiseman got the win for Barry, pitching all seven innings. She had eight strikeouts but gave up eight hits. Freshman Taylor Friend got the loss for Harding. She started the game and pitched 1 1-3 innings.
Harding will be back in action next weekend as they participate in the Division II Arkansas-Monticello Softball Classic held in Bentonville, Ark.
