BENTONVILLE, Ark.  – The Harding softball team split two games Saturday on the opening day of the Alvy Early Softball Classic at Memorial Park. The Lady Bisons came from behind to defeat Missouri Western 5-4 but left 10 on base in a 3-2 loss to Missouri Southern.

Harding moves to 6-4 on the season.

Game One Key Innings (Harding 5, Missouri Western 4)

-         Missouri Western got on the board in the fourth inning when Lauren Houston hit a double that scored Rachel Stewart.

-         Harding answered back in the top of the fifth. After a Hannah Garrett double, Mary Mills Lochala hit a home run to give the Lady Bisons a 2-1 lead. Two batters later, Aidan Nichols hit a solo home run. It was Lochala's and Nichols' first home runs of the season.

-         Missouri Western took a 4-3 lead in the fifth when Emma Hoffart hit a three-run home run.

-         The Lady Bisons had RBI doubles by Lindsey Duncan and Mary Mills Lochala to give Harding a 5-4 lead in the sixth inning.

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Harding had nine hits with Mary Mills Lochala going 3-for-3 at the plate. It was Lochala's first three hit game in her career.

-         Aidan Nichols and Nichole Shano both had two hits in the game for Harding.

-         Missouri Western had six hits led by Sydni Hawkins who had two.

-         Emma Dwyer got the win for Harding in 1 2/3 innings of relief. She had three strikeouts.

-         Harding starter Aidan Nichols reentered the game in the seventh and got the save. She had five strikeouts.

-         Olivia Goodale received the loss for Missouri Western and falls to 0-1 on the season. She pitched one inning of relief and gave up two earned runs.

 
Game Two Key Innings (Missouri Southern 3, Harding 2)

-         Missouri Southern took a 3-0 lead in the second scoring three runs on two hits and a Harding error. Elizabeth Windsor highlighted the inning with a two-run double.

-         Harding pulled within one 3-2 in the fourth when Hannah Garrett hit a double to left center that scored Faith Waugh and Allison Hyatt.

-         The Lady Bisons left the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh innings.

 
Game Two Key Statistics

-         Each team have five hits.

-         Nicole Shano led Harding at the plate going 3-for-4.

-         Missouri Southern had five different players with hits.

-         Abby Atkin got the win for Missouri Southern in 3 1/3 innings of relief. She gave up two hits and walked three. Mikaela Cox, the starter, went 3 2/3 innings, gave up two earned runs and had one strikeout.

-         Jenna Hipp received the loss for Harding and falls to 1-2. She pitched 5 1/3 innings and struck out five. Emma Dwyer pitched 2/3 of an inning of relief and did not give up a hit.

Up Next

-         Harding will be wrap up the classic Sunday with Emporia State at 2 p.m., and Wayne State at 4 p.m.