Harding (31-21, 23-17 GAC) vs. Southwestern Oklahoma (16-32, 14-24 GAC)
Searcy • April 22 – 2 p.m. (Doubleheader), April 23 – 12 p.m. (Doubleheader)

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

THE COACHES
Phil Berry, Harding
    at Harding: 86-79 (3rd season)
    Career: same
    vs. SWOSU: 8-0
Barbara Burnett, Southwestern Oklahoma
    at SWOSU: 24-69 (2nd season)
    Career: same

THE SERIES
Series Record: HU leads 8-0
in Searcy.: HU 4-0
First Meeting: HU 3-0 (4/4/14)
Last Meeting: HU 17-8 (4/4/15)
Current Streak: HU 8 games

The Harding softball team will host Southwestern Oklahoma in final regular season Great American Conference series. The four-game series will get underway with a doubleheader Friday starting at 2 p.m., and wrap up on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at noon. After the games on Saturday, Harding will recognize Kinsey Beck and Maegan Hall for their contributions to the Lady Bison softball program.

Harding has a 7-7 home record this season.

Harding Team Notes:
Harding is coming off a GAC doubleheader at Northwestern Oklahoma this past weekend. The Lady Bisons picked up their first series sweep of the season winning 10-4, 15-7, 7-0 and 12-2. Harding was led by Peyton Mills who hit .588, had 10 hits, one double, four home runs and 11 RBIs. She had a 1.353 slugging percentage and a .632 on base percentage. As a team, the Lady Bisons hit .419 with 57 hits and 44 runs scored. They also hit eight home runs in the series. Harding was led in the circle by Hannah Johnson who went 2-0 with a shutout and two complete games.

Harding heads into the Southwestern Oklahoma series on a five game winning streak.

Harding is currently in four place in the GAC standings and have already wrap up a spot in the GAC Tournament. The Lady Bisons will be fighting this weekend for what seed they will be in the tournament. The top eight teams in the standings advance to the tournament held April 28-30 in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Harding is hitting .324 to rank second in the GAC. Freshman Alexus Lawellin leads the Lady Bisons hitting .386 in 158 at bats. Freshman Peyton Mills is second on the team batting .373 and Kinsey Beck is third, hitting .363.

The Lady Bisons rank first in the GAC in hits with 469. Harding has four players in the top 10 in the conference in hits. Courtney Derrick ranks third with 67, Kinsey Beck ranks fourth with 62 and Alexus Lawellin ranks sixth with 61 and Peyton Mills ranks tied for sixth with 60.

Kimmy Hendricks leads the GAC and ranks 10th in NCAA Division II in RBIs with 54. Hendricks is hitting .299 on the season and has seven home runs, three have been grand slams.

In Harding's brief history, the Lady Bisons have only hit two walk-off home runs and both have been by Peyton Mills this season. She hit both at home as the first one was against East Central and the second one was against Arkansas-Monticello.

Harding ranks first in the GAC in runs scored with 309 which sets a new school record. The Lady Bisons have three players ranked in the top 10 in the GAC in runs scored. Peyton Mills ranks second with 48, Courtney Derrick ranks third with 46 and Alexus Lawellin ranks eighth with 41.

Harding ranks first in the GAC and 16th in NCAA Division II in stolen bases with 113 (2.17 per game). The Lady Bisons have 41 more stolen bases than second place in the GAC (Southeastern Okla. - 72). The Lady Bisons have five players ranked in the top 10 in the GAC. Peyton Mills ranks second with 25, Courtney Derrick ranks third with 24, Kinsey Beck and Kimmy Hendricks ranks tied for eighth with 16 and Alexus Lawellin ranks tied for 10th with 15.

Harding ranks first in the GAC in runs scored (309), hits (469), RBIs (279), doubles (77), stolen bases (113) and saves (10). The Lady Bisons rank second in the GAC in batting average (.324), on base percentage (.386) and slugging percentage (.479).

Harding ranks eighth in the GAC with a 3.95 team ERA. Probable starters for this weekend are: junior Hannah Johnson and freshman Ashley Smith. Johnson leads the Lady Bisons with a 2.57 ERA and a 16-8 record. She will be looking to tie Amber Rollins (2014-15) for the most wins in a season with 18 set back in 2014.

Freshman pitcher Kelly Beth Ernest ranks second in NCAA Division II in saves with eight.

Harding has hit 42 home runs this season to rank fourth in the GAC. Of the 42 home runs, five have been grand slams and Harding has had at least two runners on during 14 of the home runs.

Harding ranks eighth in the GAC with a .955 fielding percentage. The Lady Bisons have turned 25 double plays this season to rank first in the GAC.

Opponent Notes:
Southwestern Oklahoma heads into the series with a 16-32 overall record and a 14-24 GAC record. The Bulldogs are in ninth place in the GAC standings and will be fighting for the last spot in the conference tournament.  

Southwestern Oklahoma has a 3-16 record in true road games and are 5-23 away from its home field this season.

The Bulldogs are coming off a GAC series against No. 7 Arkansas Tech last weekend. Because of rain, the teams only played two of the scheduled four games. The Golden Suns won both games 13-0 and 6-1.

The Bulldogs are led by Taya Haney who has a .353 batting average. She leads the team in hits with 48 and RBIs with 42.

Southwestern Oklahoma has a 5.05 team ERA to rank 10th in the GAC. Haney and Taylor Eaves will be the probable starters for the Bulldogs this weekend. Haney has a 5.31 ERA and a 6-13 record. She has thrown seven complete games this season.

Southwestern Oklahoma Ranking in the GAC:

Batting Average: .279 – 5th
Hits: 357 – 7th
Home Runs: 31 – T-8th
Wins: 15 – T-10th
ERA: 5.05 – 10th
Strikeouts: 146 – 11th

Southwestern Oklahoma Players Ranking in the GAC:

RBIs: Taya Haney – 42 – T-6th

Stolen Bases: Tori Hawk – 17 – 7th