SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Harding softball team fell in both games of a doubleheader to East Central on Sunday in Great American Conference action 5-4 and 8-0 (6 Innings). Due to weather, the games were played at the home of Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Harding falls to 4-14 overall and 1-7 in the GAC. East Central improves to 9-9 overall and 6-4 in the GAC.
GAME ONE
Jordynn VanPlet hit a walk-off homerun to right center in the bottom of the seventh inning to give East Central the 5-4 win.
The Tigers got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Peyton Watson singled hit a single to center field that knocked in Lacey Williams-Wenholm.
Harding scored all its runs in the fifth inning on four hits. Kimmy Hendricks hit a sacrifice fly to right field to knock in Emily Jones from third and then Carolyn Clayton hit a three-run homer to left field for the Lady Bisons. It was her third home run of the season and RBIs 11, 12 and 13.
East Central made it a one run game in the bottom of the fifth when VanPelt was walked with the bases loaded and Lauren Reeves hit a single to left field.
The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Watson doubled to left center field and then was knocked in by a Suydam single.
Marissa Shaffer got the win for East Central in 2 1-3 innings pitched in relief. Senior Amber Rollins got the loss for Harding, striking out five.
Amanda Berdon went 4-for-4 in the game for Harding.
GAME TWO
After three scoreless innings, East Central scored two in the fourth, one in the fifth and five in the sixth to win 8-0 in six innings.
Harding had six hits in the game, two of which came at the bat of Kimmy Hendricks. The Lady Bisons left five runners on in the game.
In the sixth, East Central had six straight hits, with two doubles.
Autumn Suydam, Samantha McGraw and Jordynn VanPelt each had two RBIs in the game. Vanpelt went 3-for-4 for the Tigers.
Lacey Paulk pitched all six innings for East Central to earn the win. She also had five strikeouts. Danielle Hubbard got the loss for Harding in four innings of work.
Harding will be back in action on Tuesday when they face Delta State at home in a doubleheader that starts at 2 p.m.
