BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Harding softball team won both of its games on the first day of the Alvy Early/UAM Softball Classic Friday. The Lady Bisons defeated Emporia State 9-1 and Missouri Western 4-1.
Harding improves to 5-2 on the season.
Harding vs. Emporia State
Junior Lily Tanski (3-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Harding (4-2). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on five hits, allowing two walks and striking out four.
At the plate, the Lady Bisons were paced by junior Nicole Shano, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. Junior Madison Fraley put together a standout effort as well, going 3-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Junior Hannah Garrett also added a triple and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Shano put Harding on the board with a two-out solo home run off freshman Gracie Rabe.
The Lady Bisons then held the Hornets scoreless before expanding their lead in the fifth inning. Harding picked up two runs in the frame, the big hit being an RBI double from freshman Leigha Harris, which brought the Lady Bisons lead to 3-0.
Harding held Emporia State without a run before expanding their lead to 4-0 the following inning.
The Lady Bisons scored five runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of freshman Emma Curry, bringing the score to 9-0 in favor of Harding. Emporia State put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Lady Bisons still coasted to the 9-1 win.
GAME NOTES
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Hornets at a 10-5 clip.
» Fraley stole two bases in the game.
» Tanski limited Emporia State to just 1-for-7 (.143) with runners in scoring position.
» Tanski faced 26 Emporia State hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out four.
» The Lady Bisons drew six walks from Emporia State pitching.
» Emporia State was led offensively by sophomore Alexis Dial, who went 2-for-3 with a double.
Harding vs. Missouri Western
Sophomore Maegan Pistokache (2-1) started in the circle and picked up the win for Harding. The right-hander went 6.1 innings, giving up one run on four hits, allowing one walk and striking out six. Jessica Bridges came on in the seventh and got the save for the Lady Bisons. It was her first of the season and her second career.
Freshman Emma Curry led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 2-for-3 in the game with a home run, first in her career, and two RBIs. Junior Nicole Shano also contributed, going 1-for-3 for Harding with a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons got the scoring started early, putting three runs on the board in the top of the first inning.
The Griffons then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 3-1 in the first until the Lady Bisons expanded their advantage in the fourth. Harding picked up a run on Curry's one-out solo home run off of junior Kelly Uthe, which brought the score to 4-1 in favor of the Lady Bisons.
GAME NOTES
» Pistokache struck out six Griffons hitters.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Griffons at a 7-5 clip.
» Harding went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 28 Missouri Western hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out six.
» The Lady Bisons drew five walks from Missouri Western pitching.
» Missouri Western State was led offensively by senior Hoffart Emma, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
Harding has four more games left in the weekend. The Lady Bisons will play two games Saturday and two Sunday. Harding's next game is against Wayne State Saturday at 11 a.m.
