SEARCY – The Harding softball team run-ruled Northwestern Oklahoma in both games of the Great American Conference doubleheader at the HU Softball Field. Harding won 10-2 in five in the first game and then won 8-0 in five in the second game.

After the game, Harding recognized eight seniors from this season and last year's squad and two staff members for their contributions to the Harding softball program. Last year's seniors did not have a senior day due to COVID. The 2020 seniors were – Katie Carney, Aidan Nichols Dunn, Lindsey Duncan Shields and Mary Mills Lochala. The 2021 seniors were – Emma Dwyer, Briley Feringa, Amanda Fields and Emily Garrett. The two staff members were student assistant Taylar Clark and graduate assistant Haley Giorgini.

Harding improves to 23-11 overall and 14-9 in the GAC.

Northwestern Oklahoma falls to 8-24 overall and 3-23 in the GAC.

Game One Key Innings (Harding 10, Northwestern Oklahoma 2 (5 inn.))

-         B1 – Ashton Bryce scored on a wild pitch and Makenzie Chappell hit a double to left that scored Nicole Shano (Harding 2, Northwestern Okla. 0)

-         T2 – Kelsey Bushey singled to center field that scored Allison Zanca from third for the Rangers. (Harding 2, Northwestern Okla. 1)

-         B2 – Ashton Bryce singled in Madison Fraley from second for Harding's first run of the inning. Hanna Jones then hit a two-run home run to left center.  It was her fifth home run of the season. (Harding 5, Northwestern Okla. 2)

-         T3 – Zanca hit a single through the left side for the Rangers that scored Kalie Johnson (Harding 5, Northwestern Okla. 2)

-         B3 – Chelsea Blankenship scored on a wild pitch for the Lady Bisons (Harding 6, Northwestern Okla. 2)

-         B4 – Blankenship hit a double down the left field line that scored Hanna Jones. Jordan Cabana hit a three-run home run to left field.  It was her second home run this season (Harding 10, Northwestern Okla. 2)

 
Game One Key Statistics

-         Harding had eight hits with Ashton Bryce and Chelsea Blankenship each having two.

-         Northwestern Oklahoma had seven hits with Allison Zanca leading the way with two.

-         Lily Tanski got the win for Harding to improve to 15-6 on the season. She pitched four innings, gave up one earned run and struck out five. Emma Dwyer pitched an inning of relief and did not give up a hit.

-         Hannah Howell received the loss for Northwestern Oklahoma to fall to 5-10 on the season.

Game Two Key Innings (Harding 8, Northwestern Okla. 0)

-         B2 – Jordan Cabana hit a single right and Makenzie Chappell scored on the play on the throw to get Cabana out at second. (Harding 1, Northwestern Okla. 0)

-         B5 – Harding scored seven runs on five hits to end the game early. With the bases loaded, Chelsea Blankenship hit a grand slam to left field to highlight the inning. It was her second home run of the season and her first grand slam. Madison Fraley also hit a triple to center field that scored two runs for Harding. (Harding 8, Northwestern Okla. 0)

 
Game Two Key Statistics

-         Harding had nine hits in the game with Amanda Fields leading the way going 3-for-3. Madison Fraley also had two hits for the Lady Bisons.

-         Northwestern Oklahoma was held to one hit in the game.

-         It was Harding second grand slam of the season. Nicole Shano hit one at Arkansas-Monticello earlier this season. It was also the 14th grand slam in Harding's short history that started in 2014.

-         Jessica Bridges got the win for Harding to improve to 7-4 on the season. Her one hit allowed was the fewest she has allowed this season.

Up Next

-         The two teams will wrap up their three-game series with a single game Sunday starting at noon.