SEARCY  – The Harding softball team played its home openers Friday in the opening round of the Harding Softball Invitational. The Lady Bisons defeated Midwestern State 9-5 and Northeastern State 3-2.

Before Harding's first game, the Lady Bisons recognized military veterans and current military members for their service.

Harding improves to 4-2 on the season.

The Lady Bisons are 7-0 in home openers.

Game One Key Innings (Harding 9, Midwestern State 5)

-         Harding, the visitor on the scoreboard, opened the game with a four run, three hit first inning. Hanna Jones, Briley Feringa and Aidan Nichols all had a RBI in the inning.

-         Midwestern State got on the board in the second when Anna Williams hit a two-run home run to left field.

-         Harding made it a 5-2 game in the third when Aidan Nichols stole home on a double steal.

-         Amanda Fields gave the Lady Bisons an 8-2 lead in the fourth when she hit a three-run home run to left field. It was her first of the season.

-         The Mustangs answered back with three runs on four hits in the fourth inning.

-         Harding scored its final run in the sixth when Aidan Nichols hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Hanna Jones.

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Harding had six hits in the game by five different players.

-         Hanna Jones led the Lady Bisons going 2-for-2, had three runs scored and had three stolen bases.

-         Amanda Fields had Harding's first three RBI game of the season.

-         Midwestern State had nine hits with Lauren Lindgren leading the way with three.

-         Lily Tanski came in and got the win for Harding to improve to 1-1. She pitched four scoreless innings and had four strikeouts. Jenna Hipp started the game for Harding. She went three innings and had three strikeouts.

-         Midwestern State's starter Mattye Taylor received the loss and falls to 0-2.

 
Game Two Key Innings (Harding 3, Northeastern State 2)

-         Harding took a 2-0 lead in the second on RBI's by Nicole Shano and Lindsey Duncan.

-         Midwestern State tied the game in the third on two hits.

-         The Lady Bisons took the lead for good in the fourth when Bailey Wagner drew a pinch hit walk with the bases loaded.

 
Game Two Key Statistics

-         Harding had eight hits in the game and left nine runners on base.

-         Briley Feringa led the Lady Bisons going 2-for-3 at the plate.

-         Northeastern State had four hits by four different players.

-         Aidan Nichols pitched a complete game for Harding to improve to 2-1 on the season. She struck out 11 batters for the second time this season.

-         Sydney Balderrama received the loss for Northeastern State and falls to 0-1.

Up Next

-         Harding will be back in action Sunday when it hosts Drury at 2 p.m., and Delta State at 4 p.m.