ADA, Okla. – The Harding softball team split a Great American Conference doubleheader with East Central Friday. The Lady Bisons fell in the first game 6-4 but came from behind to win the second game 8-6.

Harding moves to 9-7 overall and 1-5 in the GAC.

East Central moves to 6-9 overall and 2-4 in the GAC.

Game One Key Innings (East Central 6, Harding 4)

-         Harding scored a run on two hits in the first inning when Briley Feringa had a RBI ground out that scored Kyndal Pirtle.

-         East Central tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Sable Hankins hit a leadoff home run to left field.

-         The Tigers added two more in the second inning on a two RBI double by Catherine Barrera.

-         East Central made it a 6-1 game in the third inning scoring three runs on three hits. Mariah Ewy drove in two runs in the inning for the Tigers.

-         Harding pulled within two in the fifth inning scoring three runs on five hits. Amanda Fields singled in two runs and Lauren Bazan singled in a run.

Game One Key Statistics

-         Harding had 11 hits with Briley Feringa, Hanna Jones and Lauren Bazan each having two.

-         East Central had eight hits led by Catherine Barrera who went 2-for-4.

-         Jacey Henry got the win for East Central and improves to 5-2 on the season. She threw five innings, gave up four earned runs and struck out four.

-         Jenna Hipp received the loss for Harding and falls to 2-3 overall. She threw two innings and gave up four earned runs.

-         Aidan Nichols made her Harding debut in relief. She threw four innings, gave up three hits and two earned runs.

Game Two Key Innings (Harding 8, East Central 6)

-         Peyton Mills got things going for Harding in the third inning when she homered to left field. It was her first of the season.

-         East Central took a 2-1 lead in the third scoring two runs on three hits. Hankins and Barrera each had a RBI in the inning.

-         Harding got the lead back in the fourth when Madison Leggett singled in two runs.

-         The Tigers took a 6-3 lead in the fourth scoring four runs on four hits and a Harding error.

-         Harding pulled within one, 6-5 in the fifth when Briley Feringa hit a two-run home run to left field. It was her second of the season.

-         Madison Leggett tied the game in the sixth for Harding when she hit a solo home run to center field. It was her second of the season.

-         The Lady Bisons took the lead for good in the seventh scoring two runs on two hits. Madison Leggett drove in what proved to be in the winning run and Mason McCord hit a sacrifice fly for the insurance run.

Game Two Key Statistics

-         Harding had a season-high 14 hits. Madison Leggett led the Lady Bisons going 3-for-4 with four RBI.

-         East Central had 10 hits, led by Sable Hankins who went 3-for-4 with two RBI.

-         It was the 16th time the Lady Bisons had have three or more home runs in a game.

-         Emma Dwyer picked up the win and improves to 2-2 for Harding. She threw 3 2/3 innings of relief, didn't give up an earned run and struck out five.

-         Jessica Sisemore received the loss and falls to 0-2 on the season.

Next Up

-          The two teams will wrap up their four-game series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at noon.