SEARCY – St. Cloud State had 16 hits, including nine from its top three in the lineup, and defeated Harding 8-4 on Sunday to sweep the five-game series against the Bisons.

Harding (5-10) trailed by 8-2 entering the bottom of the ninth and had the tying run on deck when the game ended.

The Bisons' next action is Tuesday in a non-conference game against Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Harding returns to Jerry Moore Field next weekend for a three-game Great American Conference series with Southern Nazarene.

St. Cloud (5-0) led 3-2 entering the top of the sixth and broke the game open with a three-run, bases loaded double by Brandon Arnold, who was 3-for-5 in the game with two runs and three RBI.

The Huskies extended the lead to 8-2 with Michael Jurgella's two-run home run in the eighth.

Harding scored two unearned runs in the fourth with Shane Kinnear and Zach Beasley picking up the RBIs. Kyler Offenbacker scored on a wild pitch and Chris Taylor drove in a run with a ground out in the ninth before Harding's rally fizzled.

Arnold, Eric Loxtercamp, and Jurgella each had three hits for the Huskies, who won each of the other four games in the series by one-run margins. All three of Jurgella's hits came with runners in scoring position.

Kinnear and Noah Chandler each had two hits for Harding, with Kinnear going 2-for-2 with runners in scoring position.

St. Cloud starter Sheldon Miks (1-0) pitched seven innings and allowed only four hits and two unearned runs to collect the win.

Harding starter Alan Copeland (0-1), a junior making only his second career start, got the loss. He pitched five innings, allowing seven hits and three runs (two earned).