SEARCY – The Harding softball team defeated East Central 8-3 Saturday in Great American Conference action at the HU Softball Field. The win Saturday gave the Lady Bisons the series win 2-1.

Before the game, the Lady Bisons recognized lone senior Allison Hyatt for her contributions to the Harding softball program.

After Saturday's results, Harding will be the No. 3 seed in the GAC Tournament May 5-7 in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Lady Bisons will face No. 6 seed Southeastern Oklahoma at 6:30 p.m., Thursday in the single elimination tournament at Bentonville High School.

Harding improves to 37-17 overall and 23-10 in the GAC.

East Central falls to 13-31 overall and 11-22 in the GAC.

Junior Lily Tanski (15-7) got the win for Harding. The right-hander went four innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on six hits, allowing no walks and striking out three. Sophomore Abby Burch also pitched well, throwing one shutout inning without allowing a hit, walking none and striking out one.

Offensively, the Lady Bisons were led by freshman Leigha Harris, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a triple and three RBI. Sophomore Ashton Bryce furnished a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Junior Hannah Garrett also contributed for Harding, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Harding took a 1-0 lead in the first when Leigha Harris hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Hanna Jones.

East Central tied the game in the second on a solo home run.

The Lady Bisons scored two runs on three hits in the third inning. Hanna Jones hit a sacrifice fly that scored Hannah Garrett for the first run and Leigha Harris hit a triple down the left field line that scored Ashton Bryce.

Harding went up 8-2 in the fourth scoring five runs on five hits. Jordan Cabana, Hannah Garrett, Ashton Bryce and Leigha Harris all had an RBI in the inning.

East Central got a run back in the fifth on a double.

GAME NOTES

» Bryce had three base knocks in the game for Harding. It was the second time this season she has had three hits in a game. It was also her 10th multiple hit game of the season.
» Harding had nine stolen bases in the game which tied the school record for the most in a game. It was the third time the Lady Bisons have stolen nine in a game. Harding had as many against East Central in 2020 and Henderson State in 2021.
» Harding took a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Tigers at a 9-8 clip.
» Both Bryce and sophomore Chelsea Blankenship stole two bases in the game.
» Harding went 6-for-15 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 29 East Central hitters in the game, allowing three ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out six.
» East Central was led offensively by sophomore Vanessa Tamayo, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Taia Harris took the loss for East Central and falls to 7-17 on the season.