DURANT, Okla. – The Harding softball team came up short of the series sweep Monday as Southeastern Oklahoma defeated the Lady Bisons 7-4 in Great American Conference action.
Harding falls to 13-5 overall and 2-1 in the GAC.
Southeastern Oklahoma improves to 10-8 overall and 1-2 in the GAC.
Cheyenne Mahy got the win for Southeastern Oklahoma and improves to 5-3 on the season. She went the distance and struck out four.
Junior Lily Tanski (5-4) received the loss for Harding. The starter went three innings and struck out two batters. Jessica Bridges came out of the pen and pitched 1 1/3 innings of relieve and struck out two.
Chelsea Blankenship led Harding going 2-for-3 on the day, and included a double, a home run and two RBIs. Freshman Emma Curry also went 1-for-3 with a solo home run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Curry got Harding on the board first in the top of the second inning when she hit a one-out solo home run. It was her fifth home run of the season.
Southeastern Oklahoma took a 3-1 lead in the third when Kyia Monahwee hit a three-run homer to left field.
Harding got a run back the next inning when Blankenship hit a two-out solo home run. It was her sixth home run of the season.
Southeastern Oklahoms scored two runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to take a 7-2 lead.
Harding got two more runs back in the sixth off RBIs by Leigha Harris and Blankenship.
GAME NOTES
» Harding went 2-for-4 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 33 Southeastern Oklahoma State hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out five.
» Southeastern Oklahoma State was led offensively by senior Kyia Monahwee, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.
Harding will be back in action next weekend when it travels to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to take on Ouachita Baptist. First pitch in the three-game series is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m.
