BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Harding softball team left seven runners on as they fell to Arkansas Tech 10-2 in six innings in the opening round of the Great American Conference Tournament at the Tiger Athletic Complex. The Lady Bisons, the No. 5 seed, will take on No. 8 seed Southern Arkansas at 8 p.m., on Thursday at Memorial Park in an elimination game.

No. 4 seed Arkansas Tech (38-18) had 16 hits and one home run in the game and will advance to play No. 1 seed Henderson State at 8 p.m., at the Tiger Athletic Complex.

Harding gave up a run in the bottom of the first but came back and tied the game 1-1 in the top of the second when Amanda Berdon singled to right field to score Madison Wickline from second.

The Golden Suns scored four runs on two hits in the bottom of the second to take a 5-1 lead. Janie Knowles hit a three-run home run to left field for Arkansas Tech.

With the bases loaded and one out, Berdon picked up her second RBI of the game when she singled to the shortstop. The Lady Bisons couldn't produce another run as Arkansas Tech struck out the next two batters.

The Golden Suns scored two runs on four hits and an error in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-2 lead. Arkansas Tech scored its eighth run in the fifth and then scored two in the bottom of the sixth to get the win.

Harding had the bases loaded in the sixth with no outs after a walk and two singles but couldn't produce a run.

Morgan Vaughan got the win for Arkansas Tech to improve her record to 11-6. She pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief of starting pitcher Sydnee Clark. Vaughan gave up four hits, struck out four and didn't allow a run. Amber Rollins (14-14) got the loss for Harding. She pitched three innings gave up eight hits, seven earned runs and struck out three. Danielle Hubbard pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief for Harding. She gave up eight hits and three earned runs.