CONROE, Texas – The Harding softball team split two games against ranked opponents Saturday in the Arkansas Tech Invitational. The Lady Bisons defeated No. 15 Oklahoma Christian 3-0 but fell to No. 1 Texas-Tyler 9-2.
Harding improves to 3-1 on the season.
Harding vs. No. 15 Oklahoma Christian
Junior Lily Tanski was dealing on Saturday, throwing a two-hit shutout to lead Harding past the No. 15 Oklahoma Christian Eagles 3-0.
Tanski (2-0) went the distance for Harding (3-0), giving up two hits, walking one and striking out four.
Senior Hanna Jones led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 2-for-3 in the game with a triple, a walk and an RBI. Junior Nicole Shano also had a triple and two RBIs. Junior Madison Fraley also helped out, going 1-for-2 for Harding with a triple.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons took the lead in the third, scoring for the first time in the inning. Harding put up two runs in the frame, highlighted by an RBI triple off the bat of Jones.
The Lady Bisons added another run in the fifth when Nicole Shano hit a triple down the left field line that scored Hanna Jones.
GAME NOTES
» It was Harding's 18th win over a ranked opponent.
» Tanski tossed a two-hit shutout for the Lacy Bisons.
» Harding's highest scoring inning was the third, when it pushed two runs across.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Eagles at a 7-2 clip.
» Harding pitchers faced 26 Oklahoma Christian hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out four.
» Jones led the Lady Bisons at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Harding's three triples tied a school record set back in 2019 against Northwestern Oklahoma.
» Oklahoma Christian was led offensively by sophomore Kylie Janzen, who went 1-for-3 with a double.
» Junior Kali Crandall led the Eagles pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
Harding vs. No. 1 Texas-Tyler
The Harding Bisons fell to No. 1 ranked Texas-Tyler 9-2.
Pistokache (1-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Harding (3-1).
At the plate, the Lady Bisons were led by Leigha Harris, who went 1-for-1 on the day with two walks and an RBI. Hanna Jones put together a noteworthy day at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with a double. Nicole Shano also helped out for Harding, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lady Bisons starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Ashton Bryce came across to score the lone run.
The Lady Bisons lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the third trailing 2-1. Jones came across to score the lone run of the inning for Harding, which evened the score at 2-2. Texas-Tyler then scored seven times over the remaining four innings to break the tie and grab the 9-2 win.
GAME NOTES
» Harding pitchers faced 31 Texas-Tyler hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out four.
» Texas-Tyler was led offensively by Bayli Simon, who went 2-for-2 with four RBIs.
» Payton Foster led the Patriots pitching staff, throwing seven innings.
Harding will wrap up the invitational Sunday when it takes on No. 22 Texas A&M-Commerce at 12 p.m.
