SEARCY – The Harding softball team split the Great American Conference doubleheader with East Central Friday at the HU Softball Field. The Lady Bisons won the first game 3-0 but dropped the second game 8-5.
In the second game, Emma Curry hit two doubles to break the Harding single season record which was previously held by Peyton Mills who hit 20 in 2019. Curry came into the game with 19 doubles on the season.
Harding moves to 36-17 overall and 22-10 in the GAC.
East Central moves to 13-30 overall and 11-20 in the GAC.
GAME 1
Lily Tanski (14-7) started and picked up the win for Harding, throwing six shutout innings while giving up three hits, walking none, and striking out six. Abby Burch was dealing out of the bullpen as well, throwing one shutout inning without allowing a hit to earn the save. Her sixth of the season.
Freshman Leigha Harris led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Junior Hannah Garrett also went 1-for-2 with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Harding got on the board in the first when Leigha Harris hit a two-run home run that hit off the top of the fence and left the ballpark. It was her eighth homerun of the season.
The Lady Bisons added another run in the fourth when Hannah Garrett hit a single down the left field line to score Macy Smith from second.
GAME NOTES
» Tanski and Burch combined to throw a three-hit shutout.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Tigers at a 4-3 clip.
» Harding pitchers limited East Central to just 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 27 East Central hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out six.
» Senior Taia Harris received the loss for the Tigers and falls to 6-12 overall.
GAME 2
Freshman Emma Curry racked up four hits, but Harding fell 8-5 to game two.
Sophomore Jessica Bridges (5-2) came out of the bullpen for Harding and took the loss. Sophomore Abby Burch was a bright spot for the Lady Bisons, coming out of the bullpen as well and throwing one shutout inning, allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.
In addition to her four hits, Curry had two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Lady Bisons. Freshman Leigha Harris also went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Ashlyn Peterson also chipped in for Harding, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
East Central broke the scoreless tie in the fourth scoring four runs on four hits and an error.
Harding got three runs back in the fourth on six hits but left the bases loaded.
The Lady Bisons tied the game at four in the fifth when Emma Curry hit a double down the left field line to score Leigha Harris.
East Central took a 7-4 lead in the sixth scoring three runs on three hits.
Harding got a run back in the sixth when Harris singled to right center that scored Hanna Jones.
East Central led off the seventh inning with a solo home run to take an 8-5 lead.
GAME NOTES
» Harding went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 36 East Central hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out four.
» East Central was led offensively by freshman Jami Watson, who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Bri Moore got the win for East Central out of the bullpen. Taia Harris earned the save pitching two scoreless innings.
The two teams will wrap up their series with a single game Saturday at noon. The senior day ceremony will take place before the game at 11:40 a.m.
