BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Harding softball team had 28 hits Saturday but dropped two games by one run in the Alvy Early UAM Softball Classic. The Lady Bisons fell to Emporia State 10-9 and Illinois Springfield 9-8.
Games Sunday have been canceled due to expected weather in Bentonville.
Harding falls to 4-4 on the season.
Emporia State improves to 3-6 and Illinois Springfield improves to 3-1.
GAME ONE (Emporia State 10, Harding 9)
Abby Burch started in the circle for Harding and went 3 1/3 innings and had two strikeouts. Riley Price came in out of the pen and pitched 3 2/3 innings and received the loss. She falls to 3-2 on the season.
Harding was led at the plate by Macy Ham who went 3-for-4. Jordan Cabana also had multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Emporia State got things started in the first scoring two runs on three hits and a Harding error.
The Lady Bisons answered back with six runs on three hits and two errors. Mariana Caro and Kayla Lee each had an RBI in the inning.
Harding made it 9-2 in the second scoring three runs on four hits. Jordan Cabana and Mariana Caro both singled in a run for the Lady Bisons.
The Hornets got three back in the third on four hits including a two-run homer.
Emporia Sate scored a run in the fourth and a run in the sixth to pull within two, 9-7.
The Hornets took a 10-9 lead in the seventh on an Emma Furnish pitch-hit three-run homer.
Harding had the tying run at third with two outs in the seventh but couldn't produce a run.
GAME NOTES
- Seven different Harding players had a hit in the game.
- Jayda VanAckeren received the win for Emporia State. She pitched two innings of relief.
- Abby Ward and Alexis Dial each had three hits for the Hornets.
GAME TWO (Illinois Springfield 9, Harding 8)
Abby Burch started and went 5 2/3 innings for Harding. She received the loss and falls to 1-2 on the season.
Harding had seven players with multiple hits in the game. Chelsea Blankenship and Tori Turner each led the team, going 3-for-4 at the plate.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Harding got on the board in the bottom of the first scoring three runs on three hits. Riley Price highlighted the inning with a two-run homer.
Illinois Springfield got two runs back in the third on four hits.
The Prairie Stars took a 6-3 lead in the fourth scoring four runs on five hits. Illinois Springfield had two doubles and a home run in the inning.
Harding answered back scoring four runs on five hits to take a 7-6 lead. Lana Danielson doubled in two runs, Riley Price tripled in a run and Chelsea Blankenship singled in a run.
The Prairie Stars took an 8-7 lead in the fifth scoring two runs on three hits.
Harding tied the game in the sixth on an RBI single by Lana Danielson. The Lady Bisons had four hits in the inning.
Illinois Springfield scored the go ahead run in the seventh on an error.
GAME NOTES
- Harding outhit Illinois Springfield 18-14.
- Macy Ham, Jordan Cabana, Riley Price, Lana Danielson and Mariana Caro each had two hits for Harding.
- Rosie Bartletti got the win for the Prairie Stars. She improves to 2-1 on the season. Bartletti came in and pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief.
- Taylor Zawacki led Illinois Springfield going 3-for-4 at the plate.
NEXT UP
Harding will be back in action next weekend when it takes part in the Music City Invitational. The Lady Bisons will open the classic Friday against Davenport at 10 a.m.
