SEARCY – Starting pitching ruled the day Saturday as Harding and Missouri Western split two games at Jerry Moore Field in the season openers for both teams.

Harding's Austin Allen pitched six scoreless innings and allowed only two hits to earn the win in Harding's 8-0 victory in game one. Senior left-hander Jackson Ward gave up only one hit in three relief innings to earn the save. It was Harding's first shutout in a season opener since a 22-0 victory over Augustana in 2015.

Missouri Western's Carson Dwyre allowed only one earned run over five innings to earn the win in game two as the Giffons defeated the Bisons 5-1.

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Jerry Moore Field.

Senior designated hitter Chris Taylor doubled twice in the opener, the second coming with the bases loaded in Harding's four-run seventh inning that cleared the bases. He also had an RBI double in the sixth and drove in four runs for the third time in his career.

Harding scored twice in the third. Connor Kelly led off the inning with a single and scored on Grant Guest's RBI double. Guest made it 2-0 Harding when he scored on Nolan Fertig's single to center.

Harding tacked on a run in the eighth on Kelly's RBI single that scored Luke Van Dover.

Missouri Western, the second-place team in the MIAA last season and a regional qualifier, managed only three hits and went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

Griffon starter Nate Hunter (0-1) allowed five runs, three earned over 6 1/3 innings and took the loss. He struck out seven and walked none.

Harding led game two 1-0, scoring the game's first run in the fourth. Dwyre hit Taylor with a pitch to open the inning, and two wild pitches sent Taylor to third. Taylor scored on Hayden Walraven's double to left.

Missouri Western did not get to Harding starter Tanner Smith until the fifth. The Griffons tied the game with an unearned run in the inning. The first two batters reached against Smith in the sixth and both scored to give Missouri Western a 3-1 lead.

Smith (0-1) finished with a line of five innings, four hits, three runs (two earned). He struck out five and did not walk any. Missouri Western scored two more in the seventh off reliever Brian Tims.

Harding had only four hits in game two.

Harding's Ben Brauss reached on a single in game one to push his reached-base streak to 25 games dating to last season. He did not reach in game two.