SEARCY – The Harding softball team dropped both games of a Great American Conference doubleheader on Tuesday to No. 4 Arkansas Tech by a score of 4-3 and 8-6.

Harding falls to 25-13 overall and 17-9 in the GAC.  Arkansas Tech improves to 32-3 overall and 22-2 in the GAC.  
 
Game One Key Innings (Arkansas Tech 4, Harding 3)

-         Arkansas Tech opened the game scoring all of its runs in the top of the first inning on five hits. Megan Goodnight led the Golden Suns with a single up the middle that scored two runs.

-         Harding got things going in the third inning scoring two runs on two hits when Peyton Mills hit a two run home run down the right field line.

-         Harding tacked on another run in the fifth inning when Peyton Mills singled to left field that scored Morgan Acosta from third.

-         The Lady Bisons had the tying run at second in the bottom of the seventh with two outs but wasn't able to produce a run.

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Arkansas Tech had eight hits in the game led by Sarah Coronado and Megan Goodnight who each had two hits.

-         Harding had seven hits in the game led by freshmen Alexus Lawellin and Peyton Mills who each had two.

-         It was the fourth time this season Mills has had a multiple RBI game.

-         Jalissa Gum got the win for Arkansas Tech to improve to 12-1 on the season. She threw the complete game, gave up three earned runs and struck out seven.

-         Harding starter Hannah Johnson went the distance but received the loss and falls to 12-3 overall.  Johnson gave up four earned runs and struck out three.

 
Game Two Key Innings (Arkansas Tech 8, Harding 6)

-         Arkansas Tech had another big first inning, scoring six runs on six hits. Destiny Crumpley doubled in two runs for two of the Golden Suns runs and after two more runs Kambri Hill hit her third home run down the left field line that scored two more.

-         The Golden Suns scored a run on two hits and a Harding error in the top of the second inning.

-         Harding got on the board in the bottom of the inning when Brookelynn Moon hit a single up the middle that scored Mackenzie Jones from second.

-         The Lady Bisons scored five runs on five hits and two Arkansas Tech errors with no outs in the fifth inning to pull within one, 6-5. Peyton Mills and Mackenzie Jones each singled in two runs in the inning. Harding had runners at second and third and only one out but wasn't able to produce another run.

-         Arkansas Tech tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Megan Goodnight hit a solo home run to right field to put the Golden Suns on top 8-6.

 
Game Two Key Statistics

-         Arkansas Tech had 11 hits in the game by nine different players.

-         Harding had seven hits in the game, led by Peyton Mills who had two.

-         Morgan Vaughn got the win for the Golden Suns to improve to 12-0. She threw four innings, gave up five earned runs and struck out five. Kelsie Barker came in and picked up the save, pitching three scoreless innings.

-         Harding starter Ashley Smith received the loss and fell to 7-5 on the season.

Up Next

-         Harding will be back in action this weekend when it travels to Magnolia, Arkansas to take on Southern Arkansas in a GAC four-game series.