MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Harding softball team got the series win after defeated No. 21 Southern Arkansas in both games of the Great American Conference doubleheader Saturday. The Lady Bisons won the first game 3-1 and the second game 4-2.
It was Harding's first win over a ranked opponent this season.
The Lady Bisons won the series 2-1. Southern Arkansas won the first game of the series Friday 5-1.
Harding improves to 10-9 overall and 2-4 in the GAC.
Southern Arkansas falls to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in the GAC.
GAME ONE (Harding 3, Southern Arkansas 1)
Abby Burch started and got the win of Harding to improve to 2-3 on the season. She went 4 2/3 innings, didn't give up an earned run and struck out five. Riley Price pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief and had three strikeouts.
Offensively Harding was led by Jordan Cabana who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After two scoreless innings, Harding broke the tie in the third went Jordan Cabana singled in Macy Ham.
The Lady Bisons made it 2-0 in the sixth on an RBI single by Emma Curry.
Harding got an insurance run in the seventh on an error.
Southern Arkansas had the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh but only produced one run.
GAME NOTES
- Southern Arkansas outhit Harding 8-4.
- Southern Arkansas left 12 runners on base.
- Brinson Rogers received the loss for the Muleriders and falls to 4-4 on the season.
GAME TWO (Harding 4, Southern Arkansas 2)
Abby Burch started and came back in to get the win. She improves to 3-3 on the season. Burch threw three innings and struck out four. Riley Price pitched four innings of relief, gave up one earned run and struck out three.
Jordan Cabana led Harding going 3-for-3 at the plate. Chelsea Blankenship, Lana Danielson and Kaya Lee all had two hits in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Harding got on the board in the first on an RBI single by Jordan Cabana.
Southern Arkansas tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second when Jenna Huey led off the inning with a home run.
Harding took a 4-1 lead in the fifth scoring three runs on four hits and two errors. Emma Curry walked with the bases loaded, Blankenship singled in a run and Danielson singled in a run.
With the bases loaded in the seventh and one out, Abby Burch came back in to pitch for Harding and only gave up one run to get the win.
GAME NOTES
- Harding had four stolen bases in the game.
- Harding outhit Southern Arkansas 11-9.
- The Muleriders left nine runners on base and Harding left eight.
- Sydney Ward received the loss and falls to 6-2 on the season. She went five innings, gave up one earned run and walked four.
NEXT UP
Harding will play its home opener next weekend it plays host to Arkansas-Monticello in a three-game GAC series. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.
