ALVA, Oklahoma – The Harding softball team swept its first Great American Conference series of the season on Saturday when it defeated Northwestern Oklahoma 7-0 and 12-2. The Lady Bisons won both games of a doubleheader on Friday.

Harding improves to 31-21 overall and 23-17 in the GAC. Northwestern Oklahoma falls to 10-38 overall and 8-30 in the GAC. Harding has already sealed a spot in the GAC Tournament held April 28-30 in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Lady Bisons are currently in fourth place in the GAC standings and will be fighting for seeding in their remainder GAC games.

 
Game One Key Innings (Harding 7, Northwestern Oklahoma 0)

-         Kimmy Hendricks got things going for Harding in the top of the first inning when she doubled to right field that knocked in Peyton Mills from second.

-         The Lady Bisons made it a 4-0 game in the third highlighted by two-run home run by Mills. It was her team leading ninth home run of the season. Kinsey Beck and Amanda Berdon also had an RBI in the inning.

-         Harding tacked on two more runs in the fourth on RBIs by Kimmy Hendricks and Mackenzie Jones.

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Harding had 14 hits in the game. It was the third straight game the Lady Bisons have had over 10 hits.

-         Kimmy Hendricks led the Lady Bisons going 3-for-4 with wo RBIs and a run scored. Alexus Lawellin, Peyton Mills, Mackenzie Jones and Amanda Berdon all collected two hits in the game.

-         Northwestern Oklahoma was held to three hits, all by different players.

-         Harding starting pitcher Hannah Johnson picked up the win to improve to 16-8 overall. She threw her 15th complete game and also collected her third shutout of the season.

-         Northwestern Oklahoma's Madison Garza got the loss and falls to 5-17 overall.

 
Game Two Key Innings (Harding 12, Northwestern Oklahoma 2)

-         Harding jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Peyton Mills hit a two-run home run to left center. It was her 10th of the season which ties the Harding record for the most home runs in a season.

-         The Lady Bisons made it a 4-0 game in the third on RBIs by Kimmy Hendricks and Mackenzie Jones.

-         Northwestern Oklahoma got two runs back in the fourth when Madison McGraw hit a two-run home run to left field.

-         Harding took a 9-2 lead in the sixth when it scored five runs on three hits. Alexus Lawellin highlighted the inning with a she hit a two run triple.

-         The Lady Bisons tacked on three more runs in the seventh. Two runs were scored on a hit by pitch with the bases loaded and a walk.

 
Game Two Key Statistics

-         Harding had 10 hits for the fourth straight game. Courtney Derrick and Kimmy Hendricks each had two hits in the game.

-         Alexus Lawellin, Peyton Mills and Kimmy Hendricks each had two RBIs for the Lady Bisons

-         Ashley Smith got the win for Harding and improves to 9-7 overall. She gave up four hits and two earned runs in three innings of work.

-         Brittany Olender received the loss and falls to 0-4 on the season.

Up Next

-         Harding will be back in action next weekend when it hosts Southwestern Oklahoma in its final regular season GAC series. First pitch is on Friday at 2 p.m.