BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Harding softball team exploded on offense on Friday to defeat Minnesota Duluth 15-4 in five innings and Central Missouri 8-2 in non-conference action in the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic. Junior catcher Kimmy Hendricks had a grand slam in each game and had nine RBI's on the day.
 
Harding moves to 5-3 on the season.

Minnesota Duluth and Central Missouri each fall to 0-1 on the season.
 
Game One Key Innings (Harding 15, Minnesota Duluth 4)

• Harding opened the game with four runs in the top of the first inning on four hits. Mackenzie Jones hit a two-run homer in the inning.
• The Lady Bisons got another run in the third and Minnesota Duluth got on the board with a run in the third.
• Harding exploded with seven runs on six hits in the fourth led by Kimmy Hendricks' second grand slam of the season. Brookelynn Moon also hit a three-run homer for the Lady Bisons.
• Harding tacked on three more runs in the fifth when Mackenzie Jones hit a three-run homer.
• Minnesota Duluth rallied in the seventh off a three-run homer by Becky Smith.

 
Game One Key Statistics

• Harding had 15 RBI's in the game which ties for the second most in Harding history. The Lady Bisons had 16 against Christian Brothers last season.
• Harding also hit four home runs in the game which is the second most in school history. The Lady Bisons hit seven at Northwestern Oklahoma in 2014.
• Harding's 15 runs was the most runs scored this season.
• Mackenzie Jones and Kimmy Hendricks each had five RBI's in the game and Brookelynn Moon had four.
• Hannah Johnson got the win for Harding to improve her record to 2-0. She threw the complete game, giving up four hits and three earned runs.
• Caylie Sadler got the loss for Minnesota Duluth.
• Harding had seven stolen bases in the game which ties the Harding record. The Lady Bisons had as many twice last season.

 
Game Two Key Innings (Harding 8, Central Missouri 2)

• Harding got on the board first with two runs on no hits in the top of the first inning.
• After three scoreless innings, the Lady Bisons exploded with six runs on two hits and an error in the top of the fourth. Kimmy Hendricks hit her third grand slam of the season in the inning.
• Central Missouri got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth on two hits and an error.

 
Game Two Key Statistics

• Harding only had two hits in the game which ties the Harding record for the fewest hits in a game in a win. The Lady Bisons had two in two wins in 2014.
• Peyton Mills picked up the other RBI for Harding. It was her fifth of the season.
• Ashley Smith got the win for the Lady Bisons to improve her record to 5-3. Kelly Beth Ernest came on in relief and pitched two scoreless innings.
• Allison Tonyan got the loss for Central Missouri pitching 3 1/3 innings. She gave up a hit, six runs, none of them earned.

Up Next

• Harding will continue the classic on Saturday when it takes on Northeastern State at 1 p.m., and then Truman State at 3 p.m.