EDMOND, Okla. – The 18th-ranked Harding softball team took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and went on to defeated Southeastern Oklahoma 6-1 in the elimination game of the NCAA Central Regional Friday.

Harding will turn around and face Oklahoma Baptist in another elimination game later Friday. Oklahoma Baptist fell to host team Central Oklahoma 2-1 on a walk-off home run in the eighth inning.

Harding improves to 45-13 on the season and Southeastern Oklahoma ends its season with a 33-27 record.

Senior Lily Tanski got the win for Harding to improve to 14-5 on the season. The right-hander threw her ninth complete game of the season, giving up one run on six hits, allowing two walks and striking out four.

At the plate, the Lady Bisons were led by sophomore Emma Curry, who went 3-for-4 on the day with three RBI. Senior Madison Fraley compiled a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 2-for-2 with a walk. Sophomore Macy Smith also contributed for Harding, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Harding jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning scoring three runs on five hits and an error. Emma Curry and Jordan Cabana each singled in a run in the inning.

The Lady Bisons added another run in the second when Emma Curry hit a single up the middle that scored Madison Fraley.

Southeastern Oklahoma got on the board in the fourth when Bailey Beard hit a single up the middle that scored Alexis Massie.

Harding added an insurance run in the fifth when Emma Curry hit another single up the middle that scored Hanna Jones.

The Lady Bisons made it 6-1 in the sixth when Macy Smith reached on a fielding error that allowed Madison Fraley to score.

GAME NOTES

» Harding had 11 hits in the game which was the most by the Lady Bisons in the NCAA Tournament.
» Emma Curry's three RBI was the most by a Harding player in the NCAA Tournament.
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Savage Storm at an 11-6 clip.
» Harding went 4-for-12 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Lily Tanski limited Southeastern Oklahoma to just 1-for-8 (.125) with runners in scoring position.
» Lily Tanski faced 29 Southeastern Oklahoma hitters in the game, allowing five ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out four.
» Southeastern Oklahoma was led offensively by Bailey Beard, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
» Amberlyn Walsworth received the loss for Southeastern Oklahoma and falls to 14-12 on the season.