BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The 18th-ranked Harding softball team split on Friday in the Arkansas-Monticello Softball Classic. The Lady Bisons fell to Minnesota State Mankato 1-0 but bounced back to defeat Central Missouri 7-0.

The Lady Bisons move to 7-1 on the season.

Game One Key Innings (Minnesota State Mankato 1, #18 Harding 0)

-         Minnesota State Mankato scored its run in the sixth inning when Jess Meidl hit a home run.

-         Harding had runners at first and second with no outs in the bottom of the sixth but could not produce a run.

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Each team had three hits in the game.

-         Harding left seven runners on base.

-         Harding's only extra base hit came in the fourth inning when Peyton Mills hit a lead off double.

-         Coley Ries got the win for Minnesota State Mankato. She threw the complete game, walked three and struck out 10.

-         Autumn Humes received the loss for Harding. She threw all seven innnigs, gave up one earned run, walked one and struck out a season-high 12 batters. It was the third most by a Harding pitcher in school history. Amber Rollins (2014-15) set the school record of 15 against Ouachita Baptist in 2014.

 
Game Two Key Innings (#18 Harding 7, Central Missouri 0)

-         Peyton Mills singled in Courtney Derrick in the first inning to put the Lady Bisons up 1-0.

-         Harding got another run in the second when Amanda Berdon hit a home run. It was her first of the season and her 23rd of her career. Berdon holds the Harding career home run record.

-         The Lady Bisons biggest inning came in the top of the fifth when Amanda Berry hit a three-run home run to put Harding up 5-0. It was her first collegiate home run.

-         Harding wrapped up its scoring in the seventh when Briley Feringa hit a pitch-hit home run. It was also her first collegiate home run and only her second at bat this season.

 
Game Two Key Statistics

-         Harding had 10 hits in the game led by Courtney Derrick, Kimmy Hendricks and Amanda Berdon who each had two.

-         It was the first time this season the Lady Bisons have hit multiple home runs in a game.

-         Hannah Johnson got the win for Harding and improves to 4-0 on the season. It was her second complete game. She gave up three hits, walked one and struck out four.

-         Jordan Johnson received the loss and falls to 2-3 for Central Missouri. She pitched three innings and gave up two earned runs. Katie Giacone pitched four innings of relief for the Jennies.

Up Next

-         Harding will wrap up the classic on Saturday when it takes on Emporia State at 11 a.m., and Nebraska-Kearney at 3 p.m.