SEARCY – The Harding softball team defeated Southwestern Oklahoma 9-1 in five innings in the first game of the Great American Conference doubleheader on Friday. The second game was suspended due to darkness in the fifth inning with the Bulldogs leading 6-5.

Harding improves to 32-21 overall and 24-17 in the GAC. Southwestern Oklahoma falls to 16-33 overall and 14-25 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 9, Southwestern Oklahoma 1)

-         Harding got things going in the bottom of the first scoring three runs on four hits and an error. Alexus Lawellin, Kimmy Hendricks and Kinsey Beck each knocked in a run for the Lady Bisons.

-         Harding made it a 6-0 game in the third, scoring three runs on two hits and an error. Kinsey Beck picked up another RBI in the inning along with Amanda Berdon and Morgan Acosta.

-         The Lady Bisons scored two more runs in the fourth on two hits when Kinsey Beck hit a single up the middle to score two runs.

-         Southwestern Oklahoma got on the board in the fifth when Taya Haney hit a single to left center field to scored Rileigh Ricken. The run continued the game and kept Harding from run ruling.

-         Harding forced the run rule to take effect in the fifth when Amanda Berdon hit her sixth home run of the season. It was the Lady Bisons third walk-off home run of the season.

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Harding had 11 hits in the game for the fifth straight game.

-         The Lady Bisons had six stolen bases in the game. It was the sixth time in Harding history the Lady Bisons have had as many in a game. Courtney Derrick and Kimmy Hendricks each had two.

-         Harding was led at the plate by Kinsey Beck who went 2-for-2 with four RBIs and a run scored. It was the sixth time this season she has had a multiple RBI performance and the first time with over two.

-         Hannah Johnson got the win for the Lady Bisons to improve to 17-8 on the season. She pitched five innings, gave up five hits, one earned run and struck out five.

-         Taylor Eaves got the loss for Southwestern Oklahoma and falls to 6-11 overall. She threw three innings, gave up nine hits and five earned runs.

 
Game Two (Southwestern Oklahoma 6, Harding 5 – top of 5th)

-         The game was suspended in the top of the fifth inning due to darkness.

Up Next

-         The two teams will pick up game two on Saturday in the top of the fifth inning at noon. The teams will then play a doubleheader.