SEARCY – Nicole Shano hit a grand slam in the first inning and the 20th-ranked Harding softball team went on to beat Ouachita Baptist 10-0 in Great American Conference action Saturday. It was the Lady Bisons first rule-run win of the season.
Harding swept the series after winning both games on Friday. The Lady Bisons held Ouachita Baptist to only one run in the three-game series.
Harding improves to 33-9 overall and stay tied with Oklahoma Baptist for first place in the GAC standings with a 18-5 conference record.
Ouachita Baptist falls to 10-30 overall and 4-19 in the GAC.
Junior Maegan Pistokache was dealing on Saturday, tossing a three-hit shutout. She didn't walk a batter and struck out five. It was her third complete game and her second shutout this season.
In the batter's box, the Lady Bisons were led by senior Nicole Shano, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a grand slam and six RBI. Sophomore Emma Curry also went 2-for-2 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Leigha Harris also put together three hits in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
With the bases loaded and a 1-0 count in the first, Nicole Shano hit her third career grand slam. It was also her seventh home run this season.
Harding added four more runs on four hits in the third. Nicole Shano doubled in two runs and Hanna Jones knocked in two as well.
The Lady Bisons made it 10-0 in the fourth scoring two runs on four hits. Leigha Harris and Emma Curry each had an RBI in the inning.
GAME NOTES
» Nicole Shano's six RBI's is the tied for second most by a Harding player in a game. Leigha Harris knocked in seven at Christian Brothers last season.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Tigers at a 12-3 clip.
» Harding went 6-for-13 (.462) with runners in scoring position.
» Maegan Pistokache faced 18 Ouachita Baptist hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and one fly ball while striking out five.
» Ouachita Baptist was led offensively by senior Heather Brown, who went 1-for-2.
» Tuesday Melton received the loss for the Tigers and falls to 8-17 overall.
Harding will be back in action Tuesday when it travels to Russellville, Arkansas to take on Arkansas Tech at 4 p.m. The two teams played a GAC doubleheader on March 14 and will wrap up their three-game series Tuesday.
