SEARCY – The Harding softball team fell to Arkansas-Monticello in both games of the Great American Conference doubleheader Friday. The Blossoms won 3-1 and 6-4.
Harding falls to 28-20 overall and 20-18 in the GAC.
Arkansas-Monticello improves to 9-38 overall and 9-27 in the GAC.
Game One Key Innings (Arkansas-Monticello 3, Harding 1)
- Harding scored in the second inning when Amanda Fields hit a single to right center that scored Madison Leggett from second.
- Arkansas-Monticello answered back with three runs on three hits in the third inning. Aubree Head highlighted the inning with a two-run home run to right center.
Game One Key Statistics
- Arkansas-Monticello had seven hits with their one and two hitters picking up two.
- Harding had five hits by five different players.
- Abigail Leonards got the win to improve to 4-18. She threw the complete game, gave up one earned run and struck out four.
- Amanda Berry received the loss and falls to 9-7. She pitched three innings and had two strikeouts. Emma Dwyer pitched four scoreless innings of relief and gave up one hit.
Game Two Key Innings (Arkansas-Monticello 6, Harding 4)
- Harding took a 2-0 lead in the first with Peyton Mills and Amanda Fields each having an RBI.
- Arkansas-Monticello took a 3-2 lead in the second inning off five hits, Maranda Clendenin picked up two RBI in the inning when she doubled to left field.
- The Blossoms took a 4-2 lead in the third when Jordan Herbner doubled down the left field line to score Hayley McGhee.
- Arkansas-Monticello scored two more runs in the fifth when Kali Bolter knocked in two runs off a single to right center.
- Harding got two runs off four hits in the sixth inning. Madison Leggett picked up two RBI when she singled up the middle. Harding had the bases loaded with one out but Arkansas-Monticello got out of the inning.
Game Two Key Statistics
- Arkansas-Monticello had 14 hits with Kali Bolter going 3-for-4.
- Harding had 12 hits with Madi Trump and Briley Feringa each having two.
- Harding left 13 runners on base in the game.
- Kaylee Freeman got the win for the Blossoms to improve to 2-9. She pitched 5 1/3 innings, walked four and struck out four. Paisley Pratt picked up her second save of the season in 1 2/3 innings of relief.
- Harding starter Emily Garrett received the loss and falls to 9-5. She pitched four innings and struck out two. Emma Dwyer pitched three innings of relief for Harding and struck out two.
Up Next
- The two teams will continue their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader at noon. After the games senior Madi Trump will be recognized for her contributions to the Harding softball program.
