SEARCY – Harding only scored in two innings of its doubleheader Tuesday against No. 26 Arkansas-Fort Smith, but a four-run second inning in the opener and a five-run seventh inning in game two was enough for the sweep.
Harding (12-13) won 4-3 in game one and 5-4 in the second game for its first doubleheader sweep of a nationally-ranked team since taking two against No. 19 North Alabama in 2012.
Arkansas-Fort Smith (12-5) was swept in a doubleheader for the first time this season.
With one out in the second inning of game one, redshirt freshman Zach Beasley lined a single down the left field line. Junior Alan Copeland walked and senior Shane Kinnear lined a triple to right center that scored both Beasley and Copeland. It was Kinnear's first triple and the third of the season for the Bisons. Senior Kyler Offenbacker singled through the left side to score Kinnear and later came around with Harding's fourth run on a Zac Stewart ground out.
Junior Andrew Ralston, making his fourth start of the season, pitched six inning and allowed only two hits to Arkansas-Fort Smith center fielder Tyler Lein. Ralston walked Brennan Rogers to start the sixth, and Stewart came on in relief. Rogers and two other Lions scored on three hits in the inning, but Stewart retired Kasey Cooper on a fly out the center field to end the game.
Arkansas-Fort Smith starter Collin Ogilvie (0-1) did not escape the second inning. He allowed four runs on five hits in only 1 1-3 innings.
Harding trailed 4-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning in game two, and Arkansas-Fort Smith had previously undefeated Wayde Roth, who was 6-0, on the mound.
Offenbacker led off the inning with a bunt single and came around to score on Stewart's one-out, infield single. Harrison Hunter, who reached on an error, scored the second run on a wild pitch. Davis Richardson walked to load the bases and Copeland bashed a two-run double to center field to tie the game. Roth walked Shane Kinnear intentionally to load the bases, and Jordan Hammer came on to relieve Roth.
Jaxon Mohr greeted Hammer with a line-drive, game-winning single to right on the first pitch he saw.
Junior Hunter Payne (2-2) escaped a one-out, bases loaded jam in the top of the sixth inning and worked around a walk in the seventh to earn the win. Freshman Reed Roberts started and allowed only one earned run over five innings and struck out three. Roth (6-1) took the loss.
Harding was 0-8 when trailing after six innings prior to its game-two victory.
The Bisons return to Jerry Moore Field this weekend to host East Central in Great American Conference action. Game dates and times will be announced officially on Wednesday, but due to the probability of rain on Friday, it is likely the series will be played Saturday and Sunday.
