Harding University Athletics

Sterling McMichael

Harding will play two games Friday against Oklahoma Panhandle and conclude the series Saturday.

Baseball 2/11/2016 1:29:00 PM by Scott Goode (2/11/16)

Harding Baseball Hosts Oklahoma Panhandle in Three-Game Series Beginning Friday

Harding Baseball (1-5) vs. Oklahoma Panhandle (1-4)
Feb. 12, 2016 – DH – Noon – Jerry Moore Field
Feb. 13, 2016 – Noon – Jerry Moore Field

HOW TO FOLLOW
Internet:
   Streaming: www.HardingSports.com
    Live Stats: www.HardingSports.com

THE COACHES
Dr. Patrick McGaha, Harding
   at Harding: 290-237 (11th season)
   Career: 409-329 (15th season)
   vs. Okla. Panhandle: 0-0
Jason Miner, Okla. Panhandle
   at OPSU: 4-50 (2nd season)
   Career: same

THE SERIES
Series Record: First Meeting

HARDING'S PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Andrew Fiddler (SR, RHP) – 0-1, 4.76 ERA, 11.1 IP, 4 K
Hunter Payne (SR, RHP) – 1-1, 2.45 ERA, 11.0 IP, 8 K
Andrew Ralston (SR, RHP) – 0-1, 2.25 ERA, 12.0 IP, 4 K

WATCH TO WATCH FOR
Harding endured a pair of one-run losses last weekend to Delta State and returns home to host Oklahoma Panhandle for a three-game series. The Bisons and Aggies have never met in baseball. Harding has had some trouble scoring in its first six games, averaging only 2.5 runs per game, but the team has continued to play outstanding defense with only four errors and a .981 fielding percentage.

Oklahoma Panhandle, a member of the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference and located in Guymon, Oklahoma, enters the series 1-4. The team was swept in a doubleheader by Hillsdale Baptist on Wednesday in Moore, Oklahoma, extending the Aggies' road losing streak to 20 games dating to last season.

KEY STAT
Eight of Harding's 14 RBIs this season have come with two outs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophomore outfielder Chris Taylor has reached base in four straight games and leads the team with a .357 on-base percentage. Taylor hit his first collegiate home run in the first game of the Delta State series.

Junior Samuel Beattie did not allow an earned run (three unearned) and took the loss in a 3-0 defeat to Eastern New Mexico. Last season, Beattie led the Heartland Conference with 10.24 strikeouts per nine innings.

FACTS AND FIGURES
Senior Zac Stewart leads Harding with a .318 batting average, seven hits, three extra-base hits and three RBIs … 10 of the 33 runs Harding has allowed have come in the ninth inning … Stewart and Davis Richardson both have two multi-hit games … Stewart has at least one hit in five of Harding's six games … Oklahoma Panhandle turned 42 double plays last season, the second-most in the Heartland Conference.

UP NEXT
Harding opens its Great American Conference season at home against Henderson State on Feb. 19-20.
Oklahoma Panhandle hosts Fort Hays State on Feb. 17 for a single game.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Andrew Fiddler: P; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#30 Hunter Payne: P; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#32 Andrew Ralston: P; 6' 3"; Senior; R/R

#20 Davis Richardson: C; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior; S/R

#23 Zac Stewart: OF/P; 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior; R/R

#11 Chris Taylor: OF; 5' 9"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#12 Andrew Fiddler
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: P

#30 Hunter Payne
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: P

#32 Andrew Ralston
: 6' 3"; Senior; R/R
: P

#20 Davis Richardson
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior; S/R
: C

#23 Zac Stewart
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: OF/P

#11 Chris Taylor
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF