SEARCY – The Harding softball team opened Great American Conference play and had its home opener Saturday at the HU Softball Field. The Lady Bisons fell 3-0 in the first game of the doubleheader but rebounded to win 3-1 in game two.

Harding moves to 14-3 overall and 1-1 in the GAC.

Oklahoma moves to 14-3 overall and 1-1 in the GAC.

GAME 1 (Oklahoma Baptist 3, Harding 0)

Sophomore Riley Price (7-2) started for Harding. The right-hander went the distance, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits, allowing no walks and striking out five.

Price also led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Senior Hanna Jones also had two hits in the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Oklahoma Baptist scored three runs on three hits in the top of the first inning. Morgan Max highlighted the inning when she hit a two-run double down the left field line.

GAME NOTES

» Harding outhit Oklahoma Baptist at a 7-6 clip.
» Harding pitchers faced 26 Oklahoma Baptist hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.
» Oklahoma Baptist was led offensively by sophomore Morgan Max, who went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI.
 

GAME 2 (Harding 3, Oklahoma Baptist 1)

Senior Lily Tanski fanned eight Oklahoma Baptist hitters over 6 1/3 innings of work to help lead the Harding Lady Bisons to a 3-1 victory.

In addition to her eight strikeouts, Tanski (4-0) gave up one run on eight hits. Abby Burch picked up the save getting the last two outs in the seventh. It was her seventh save of the season.

At the plate, Harding sophomore Leigha Harris, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Junior Jordan Cabana and senior Hannah Garrett also contributed for Harding, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 1-0 in the fifth, Harding took a 3-1 lead when Leigha Harris hit a three-run home run down the right field line. It was her first of the season.

GAME NOTES

» Every Harding starter reached base safely in the win.
» Harding out-hit Oklahoma Baptist at a 9-8 clip.
» Harding went 4-for-9 (.444) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers limited Oklahoma Baptist to just 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 31 Oklahoma Baptist hitters in the game, allowing two ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out nine.
» Oklahoma Baptist was led offensively by sophomore Morgan Max, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.

The two teams will wrap up their series Sunday with a single game starting at 1 p.m.