SEARCY – The Harding softball team had eight infield hits Sunday as it swept Arkansas-Monticello Sunday in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons won 5-0 in the first game and 7-1 in the second game.
Harding also swept the three-games series over the Blossoms after Saturday's 3-2 win. It was the Lady Bisons first series sweep of the season.
The Lady Bisons improve to 13-9 on the season and 5-4 in the GAC.
Arkansas-Monticello falls to 12-13 overall and 4-5 in the GAC.
GAME ONE (Harding 5, Arkansas-Monticello 0)
Abby Burch and Sarah Philips combined to shutout Arkansas-Monticello. Burch started and went four innings. She gave up four hits and struck out four. Burch is now 4-3 on the season. Sarah Philips picked up her first career save, throwing three innings and only gave up one hit.
Macy Ham went 4-for-4 with an RBI for Harding. Kaya Lee went 3-for-3 for two runs scored.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Macy Ham gave Harding a 1-0 lead in the second when she singled to the shortstop that scored Kaya Lee.
The Lady Bisons plated two more runs in the fourth. With runners at second and third and one out, Madison Fraley laid down a sacrifice bunt, Kaya Lee scored from third and Lana Danielson scored from second a throwing error.
Harding added another run in the fifth to make it 4-0. Chelsea Blankenship hit a single through the left side that scored Jordan Cabana.
The Lady Bisons tacked on another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Cabana.
GAME NOTES
- Harding outhit Arkansas-Monticello 11-5
- Harding had five infield hits in the game.
- Harding had four stolen bases all by different players.
- Sam Stephens started for Arkansas-Monticello and received the loss. She went four innings and had four strikeouts.
GAME TWO (Harding 7, Arkansas-Monticello 1)
Riley Price started and got the win for Harding. She improves to 9-6 on the season. Price went four innings, gave up two hits, didn't allow an earned run and struck out two. Sarah Philips pitched two innings and Abby Burch pitched a shutout inning for Harding.
Macy Ham and Jordan Cabana each went 3-for-4. Ham had one RBI and two runs scored and Cabana had two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
With the bases loaded in the first, Lana Danielson hit into a groundout that allowed Macy Ham to score from third. Harding got another run in the inning when Mariana Caro scored on a wild pitch.
The Lady Bisons made it 5-0 in the second scoring three runs on two hits. Mariana Caro hit a single that scored Tedi Nunn from third. Jordan Cabana then knocked in two on a single to left.
Harding added two more in the third on three hits. Madison Fraley hit a double to left center that scored Kaya Lee and Macy Ham hit in single up the middle that scored Nunn.
Arkansas-Monticello plated its only run on the day in the sixth inning on a pinch-hit RBI double by Kammie Walker.
GAME NOTES
- Harding outhit Arkansas-Monticello 12-5.
- The Lady Bisons left eight runners on base.
- Kayla Olthouse received the loss for Arkansas-Monticello. She falls to 0-2 on the season.
NEXT UP
Harding will be back in action Tuesday when it travels to Russellville, Arkansas to take on Arkansas Tech in a GAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
