SEARCY – The Harding softball team split a doubleheader against Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday in Great American Conference action. The Cotton Blossoms took game one 5-4 in nine innings and the Lady Bisons took game two 7-2.
The series was scheduled to be played in Monticello, Arkansas but was moved to Searcy because of weather in Monticello. Due to the change, the Cotton Blossoms were the home team.
The Lady Bisons move to 7-17 overall and 2-8 in the GAC. Arkansas-Monticello moves to 16-5 overall and 8-2 in the GAC.
GAME ONE
Arkansas-Monticello scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Harding 5-4.
The Lady Bisons had a solo homerun by Brooklynn Moon in the first inning and Carolyn Clayton hit a solo homerun in the second to give Harding a 2-0 lead.
The Cotton Blossoms got a run back in the third on two hits and then took a 3-2 lead in the sixth when Lacy Blanchard hit a two-run homer to right field.
Harding tied the game in top of the seventh when Emily Jones singled to right center that scored Madison Wickline who pinch ran for Carolyn Clayton who doubled to start the inning.
The Lady Bisons held Arkansas-Monticello scoreless in the seventh to force extra innings.
Harding took a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth when Emily Jones knocked in her second RBI of the game.
With the bases loaded in the ninth and one out, Blanchard reached on a Harding fielding error which scored Holly Wilmarth from third. The next batter, Aubree Head, singled through the left side of the infield to give the Cotton Blossoms the win.
It was the second time this season, Harding has played extra innings and the first time they have played nine innings. The Lady Bisons fell to William Jewell 5-4 early this season in eight innings.
Katie Slaughter picked up the win for the Cotton Blossoms as she improved her record to 8-1. She threw the complete game as she gave up 11 hits and struck out three. Amber Rollins got the loss for Harding. Rollins threw 201 pitches and struck out seven.
Emily Jones, Clayton and Moon each had two hits in the game.
GAME TWO
Harding jumped out to a 4-0 lead through four innings and held on to defeat Arkansas-Monticello 7-2.
Mackenzie Jones knocked in Courtney Derrick in the first inning to give Harding a 1-0 lead.
Harding made it 2-0 in the third inning when Brookelynn Moon hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Jessica Greene.
Harding scored two more runs in the fourth on RBIs by Emily Jones and Jessica Greene.
Arkansas-Monticello scored both of its runs in the sixth on four hits.
The Lady Bisons scored three insurance runs in the top of the seventh highlighted by Kimmy Hendricks who hit a two-run homer down the left field line.
Arkansas-Monticello went three up three down in the bottom of the seventh to give Harding the victory.
Danielle Hubbard picked up her third win of the season for the Lady Bisons. She pitched five innings and gave up two runs. She also struck out two batters. Amber Rollins got her first save of the season pitching two scoreless innings and striking out two. McKenzie Ashby got the loss for Arkansas-Monticello.
The two teams will wrap up their series on Sunday in a doubleheader that starts at 1 p.m., in Searcy.
