SEARCY – The Harding softball team defeated Christian Brothers 6-3 and 10-1 (5 innings) on Wednesday in non-conference action. It was the first home games for the Lady Bisons since Jan. 28 when Harding met the Lady Bucs to open the season.
Harding improves to 6-14 overall and 4-0 at home and Christian Brothers falls to 4-15.
GAME ONE
Harding got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Mackenzie Jones hit a double to left center field and then was knocked in when Amanda Berdon singled down the left field line.
Christian Brothers tied the game in the third when Holly Oyhenart singled to knock in Leigh Ward.
The Lady Bisons scored three more in the fourth inning on a double, single and a stolen base. Jones doubled again to score Kimmy Hendricks from second. Brookelynn Moon then singled to the shortstop to drive in Kinsey Beck who pitch ran for Jones and then Berdon stole home on a double steal.
Harding tacked on two more runs in the sixth when Moon hit a double to left center that scored Marley Edwards and Berdon.
The Lady Bucs scored two in the seventh. Christian Brothers got its first run off a double steal and then Jennifer Gonzalez hit a double to right center that scored a run.
Harding had nine hits in the game and only left four runners on.
Amber Rollins (4-5) got the win for Harding, pitching seven innings and striking out three. Kasey Beekman got the loss for Christian Brothers.
GAME TWO
Harding jumped out of the gate scoring two in the first and three in the second inning. The Lady Bisons scored five in the fourth to defeat the Lady Bucs 10-1 in five innings.
In the first, Kimmy Hendricks hit a single to knock in Courtney Derrick for Harding's first run. Hendricks then came around to score off a Mackenzie Jones single.
Carolyn Clayton got things started for Harding in the second when she singled to center field. After two walked batters, Clayton came around to score when Emily Jones singled through the left side of the infield. Jessica Greene knocked in Harding's other two runs when she singled up the middle.
With one out, the Lady Bisons scored four of their five runs in the fourth inning. Mackenzie Jones and Carolyn Clayton each drove in a run and Marley Edwards doubled which drove in a pair of runs. Chandler Little picked up the pinch hit RBI for the fifth run.
Christian Brothers scored its only run in the top of the fifth inning when Jennifer Gonzalez doubled to left field to score Ali Hare.
Danielle Hubbard picked up her second win of the season for Harding. She pitched all five innings and only gave up four hits. Kylie Steagall got the loss for Christian Brothers, pitching 1 2-3 innings.
Harding will be back in action this weekend when they face Southern Arkansas in Great American Conference action in Searcy. First pitch of the four game series is scheduled for 2 p.m., on Saturday.
