RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Harding softball team fell in both games of a Great American Conference doubleheader at Arkansas Tech Wednesday. The Lady Bisons fell 5-4 and 5-1. The two teams will wrap up the GAC series in Searcy with a single game April 5.
Harding falls to 15-8 overall and 4-4 in the GAC.
Arkansas Tech improves to 14-10 overall and 4-4 in the GAC.
GAME 1
Sophomore Abby Burch (2-1) took the loss in the circle for Harding.
Leigha Harris led Harding in the game going 2-for-3, and including two doubles, a walk and an RBI. Freshman Emma Curry also went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Lady Bisons started the game scoring three runs on five hits in the top of the first inning. Harris highlighted the inning with an RBI double to center field.
The Golden Suns answered back in the bottom of the first when Caitlyn Wells hit a three-run home run to left field.
Harding scored its final run of the game in the fourth before Arkansas Tech plated a run in each the fifth and sixth innings.
GAME NOTES
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Golden Suns 8-7.
» Harding went 4-for-11 (.364) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 30 Arkansas Tech hitters in the game, allowing zero ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out five.
» Arkansas Tech was led offensively by sophomore Caitlyn Wells, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs.
» Senior Maddy Prough led the Golden Suns pitching staff, throwing five innings of relief.
GAME 2
Sophomore Maegan Pistokache (6-2) started and took the loss in the circle for Harding. She went 5 2/3 innings giving up eight hits and three earned runs.
Shano led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 4-0 after five, the Lady Bisons put a run on the board in the sixth inning. Harding got an RBI single from Nicole Shano, scoring junior Hannah Garrett from third. The Lady Bisons were unable to get any closer, as Arkansas Tech added one run to their tally on the way to a 5-1 final.
GAME NOTES
» Harding pitchers faced 28 Arkansas Tech hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out two.
» Arkansas Tech was led offensively by sophomore Shelby Chavers, who went 3-for-4 with a triple.
» Sophomore Shannon Lasey led the Golden Suns pitching staff, throwing six innings, gave up one hit and struck out seven.
Harding will be back in action this weekend when it plays its home opener. The series scheduled against Henderson State has been moved to Saturday and Sunday due to weather on Friday. The two teams will play a single game Saturday at 3 p.m., and the doubleheader Sunday at noon.
