DURANT, Okla. – The Harding softball team swept the doubleheader at Southeastern Oklahoma Sunday to open Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons won 12-7 and 8-5.
Harding improves to 13-4 overall and 2-0 in the GAC. The Lady Bisons are 4-5 in conference openers dating back to when the program restarted in 2014.
Southeastern Oklahoma falls to 9-8 overall and 0-2 in the GAC.
GAME 1
Freshman Leigha Harris racked up four hits to help power the Harding Lady Bisons over the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm 12-7.
Sophomore Maegan Pistokache (4-1) got the win out of the bullpen for Harding. The right-hander went six innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on four hits, allowing no walks and striking out four.
In addition to her four hits, Harris had a home run and an RBI to lead the Lady Bisons. Freshman Emma Curry put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBIs. Junior Hannah Garrett also had three hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Harris hit a two-out solo home run off sophomore Amberlyn Walsworth to give Harding the lead.
The Savage Storm then tied the game at one before the Lady Bisons came back to reclaim their advantage in the second inning. Hannah Garrett, Ashton Bryce and Madison Fraley all had RBIs in the inning.
Harding allowed six runs in the bottom of the second inning to give up the lead but tied the game at seven scoring three runs in the third inning.
Harding broke the tie the next inning when Curry hit a three-run homer to center.
The Lady Bisons made it 12-7 in the fifth scoring two runs.
GAME NOTES
» Every Harding starter reached base safely in the win.
» Six Lady Bisons had multiple hits in the game.
» Harding out-hit the Savage Storm 18-5. It was a season-high for the Lady Bisons.
» Garrett stole two bases in the game.
» Harding went 8-for-17 (.471) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 34 Southeastern Oklahoma State hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out five.
» Southeastern Oklahoma State was led offensively by sophomore Jaleigh Durst, who went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Game 2
Sophomore Maegan Pistokache (5-1) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Harding. The right-hander went 2.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing no walks and striking out one.
Junior Nicole Shano led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 2-for-4 in the game with two home runs and three RBIs. Freshman Leigha Harris also 3-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Freshman Emma Curry also had three hits for Harding with a triple and two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons got on the board first when Jordan Cabana hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Curry.
Harding took a 3-0 lead in the third off back-to-back solo home runs by Nicole Shano and Leigha Harris.
Southeastern Oklahoma battled back to tie the game at four in the fifth inning.
Harding took a 5-4 lead in the sixth when Cabana hit a single to center field that scored Faith Waugh.
The Lady Bisons broke the game open in the seventh scoring four runs off of six hits. Nicole Shano highlighted the inning with a two-run home run to right center. Emma Curry also hit a single that scored two runs.
GAME NOTES
» It was the third time this season Shano has hit two home runs in a game.
» Three different Harding hitters had three hits in the game.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Savage Storm at a 14-7 clip.
» Harding pitchers faced 30 Southeastern Oklahoma hitters, allowing 10 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out three.
» Southeastern Oklahoma State was led offensively by sophomore Jaleigh Durst, who went 2-for-3 with a double.
Harding will look for the series sweep Monday at 2 p.m. Coverage links can be found at HardingSports.com
