OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Harding softball team came from behind to defeat Nebraska-Kearney 9-7 but fell to No. 14 Rogers State 6-3 Friday on the first day of the Central Oklahoma/Oklahoma Christian Invitational. Both games were played at Oklahoma Christian's Field.
Harding moves to 9-3 overall.
Harding vs. Nebraska-Kearney
The Harding Lady Bisons broke through after a 4-4 tie in the fifth inning to beat the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers 9-7 Friday.
Sophomore Jessica Bridges (2-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Harding (9-2). The right-hander went 1.2 innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing one walk and striking out two.
In the batter's box, the Lady Bisons were paced by freshman Leigha Harris, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a triple, a walk and an RBI. Junior Nicole Shano put together a standout effort as well, going 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Sophomore Ashton Bryce also helped out for Harding, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a double, a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons were trailing 2-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Sophomore Chelsea Blankenship came across to score the lone run of the inning for Harding and get them on the board.
The Lopers expanded their lead to 4-1 before the Lady Bisons offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the fourth. Freshman Macy Smith came across to score the lone run of the inning for Harding, which tightened the Lopers lead to 4-2.
Harding kept the Lopers off the scoreboard before rallying to even it up at four in the fifth. The Lady Bisons scored two runs in the frame, punctuated with an RBI triple from Shano.
The Lopers broke the tie and grabbed the lead heading into the sixth inning, when Harding got back on the board. The Lady Bisons scored five runs in the inning, highlighted by a one-run double off the bat of Harris, bringing the score to 9-7 in favor of Harding.
GAME NOTES
» Sophomore starting pitcher Maegan Pistokache struck out five Lopers hitters.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Lopers at an 11-9 clip.
» Harding went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 32 Nebraska-Kearney hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out seven.
» Nebraska-Kearney was led offensively by freshman Lyndsey Roth, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs.
Harding vs. No. 14 Rogers State
In the batter's box, the Lady Bisons were paced by sophomore Chelsea Blankenship, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and two RBIs. Senior Hanna Jones also went 1-for-3 with a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the third inning. Junior Hannah Garrett came across to score the lone run of the inning for Harding.
The Lady Bisons lost the lead in the third, but got back on the board in the sixth. Harding scored twice on Blankenship's two-run homer, which tightened the Hillcats lead to 6-3. The Lady Bisons were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again.
GAME NOTES
» Harding pitchers faced 35 Rogers State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out three.
» Rogers State was led offensively by junior Jaylan Gibson, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
» Sophomore M'Kayla Hillman led the Hillcats pitching staff, throwing 3.1 innings.
Harding will continue the Invitational Saturday when it takes on Missouri Southern at 10:30 a.m., and No. 16 Central Oklahoma at 12:45 p.m. Coverage links can be found at HardingSports.com.
