SEARCY – Harding scored six runs in the second inning, but Missouri Western, an NCAA Division II regional team last season and receiving votes in the national poll, answered with 11 unanswered runs over the next seven innings and defeated Harding 13-7 Sunday at Jerry Moore Field.

The game was the third of a three-game series between the teams. Harding won the opener 8-0 with Missouri Western winning game two 5-1.

With Missouri Western leading 2-1, Harding had six hits in the second inning, including a three-run home run from junior transfer Eric Hansen. Ben Brauss, who was 2 for 5 with two runs and two extra-base hits, had an RBI triple in the inning, and Grant Guest and Chris Taylor also had run-scoring singles.

After recording seven hits in the first two innings, Harding did not have another hit.

Missouri Western scored three runs in the fifth and took the lead for good with three more in the sixth, taking a 9-7 lead. The Griffons scored one in the seventh and added three more in the ninth.

Senior Reed Roberts started for Harding and pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits with four walks and six strikeouts.

Connor McVay (0-1) yielded Missouri Western's three runs in the sixth and took the loss in relief.

Trevor Carroll (1-0) earned the win for Missouri Western, allowing only one earned run over 5 2/3 innings out of the pen. He struck out five and walked two.

Harding's next scheduled action is Tuesday at home against Christian Brothers.