SEARCY – The Harding softball team fell in the first game of the Great American Conference doubleheader to Henderson State 5-3 on Friday. Tied 4-4, the second game was suspended due to darkness and will be picked up in the top of the 13th on Saturday at noon.
Harding falls to 18-21 overall and 12-11 in the GAC. Henderson State improves to 27-8 overall and 18-5 in the GAC.
GAME ONE
Henderson State scored three runs in the third and went on to a 5-3 victory in game one.
The Reddies also scored a run in the second and a run in the sixth as they had six hits in the game.
Trailing 1-0, Harding tied the game when Carolyn Clayton hit a home run to center field. It was her sixth home run of the season.
The Lady Bisons got two more runs back in the sixth when Kimmy Hendricks singled in a run and Marley Edwards walked with the bases loaded. Hendericks extended her streak as she has reached base in the last 16 games. Carolyn Clayton holds the Harding record when she reached base in 19 straight games last season.
Freshman Michelle Sorensen got the win for Henderson State as she improved her record to 13-6. She gave up four hits, walked four and struck out five. Senior Amber Rollins (12-9) got the loss for Harding as she threw her 15th complete game. Rollins didn't walk a batter and stuck out four.
GAME TWO (Box Score)
Game two was suspended due to darkness in the top of the 13th inning tied 4-4. Thirteen innings set a new school record as they broke the previous record of nine set earlier this season.
The second game started much like the first game as Henderson State took a 1-0 lead in the second and Harding answered back with a solo home run by Amanda Berdon in the bottom of the inning. It was her fourth home run of the season.
Henderson State scored a run in the third and two in the fifth on five hits.
Harding scored a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at four apiece. Kimmy Hendricks hit a solo home run to left field in the sixth. In the seventh, Jessica Greene knocked in the tying run when she singled up the middle. The Lady Bisons then loaded the bases with no outs. Harding hit into a double-play and had a strike out to end the inning.
Harding's next scoring chance came in the ninth inning when Henderson State walked the first two hitters. The Reddies then got Harding to hit into a fielder's choice and two ground outs to end the inning.
Before the game was suspended, Henderson State didn't allow the Lady Bisons to get a hit in extra innings.
Danielle Hubbard started the game for Harding and pitched six innings. She gave up 11 hits and two earned runs. Amber Rollins relieved Hubbard in the seventh inning and pitched six innings as she didn't allow a run and gave up four hits, one walk and stuck out three.
Henderson State's starter Ashlyn White pitched 5 1/3 innings. She gave up four hits and two earned runs. Hannah Bender pitched 2/3 of an inning and gave up one hit. Michelle Sorensen came in in the seventh and has pitched six innings only allowing three hits and one run.
