SEARCY – Jordan Cabana hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Harding softball team over Arkansas-Monticello 5-4 in Great American Conference action Saturday.

It was Harding's third GAC series sweep of the season. The Lady Bisons also swept Henderson State and Oklahoma Baptist.

It also moved Harding's winning streak to six games.

The Lady Bisons improved to 27-10 overall and 14-6 in the GAC.

Arkansas-Monticello falls to 16-21 overall and 10-10 in the GAC.

Sophomore Abby Burch (4-1) got the win out of the bullpen for Harding. The right-hander went one shutout inning, giving up one hit, no walks and striking out one. Sophomore Jessica Bridges also pitched well, going 3.2 innings, surrendering one run on two hits, walking two and striking out three.

Freshman Emma Curry compiled a standout performance at the plate for Harding, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Sophomore Chelsea Blankenship also contributed, going 2-for-4 with two doubles. Senior Hanna Jones also went 1-for-4 in the game with a home run.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 1-0 in the first, Leigha Harris hit an RBI single up the middle to score Faith Waugh.

Arkansas-Monticello scored two more in the third on three hits.

Harding got a run back in the third when Emma Curry hit an RBI single that scored Nicole Shano.

The Blossoms made it 4-2 in the fourth on a bases loaded walk.

The Lady Bisons pulled within a run in the fifth when Curry had a RBI single.

On the 10th pitch in the at bat, Hanna Jones hit a solo home run to left center to tie the game at four.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh, when Harding walked it off when Blankenship came across to score.

GAME NOTES

» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Weevils 11-8.
» Harding went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 33 Arkansas-Monticello hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out six.
» Arkansas-Monticello was led offensively by senior Haley Cornell, who went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs.
 

Harding will be back in action Tuesday when it hosts Arkansas Tech in a single GAC game at 4 p.m. It will be the final game of the three-game series against the Golden Suns.