SEARCY – Mariana Caro drew a walk with the bases loaded as the Harding softball team had a walk-off 2-1 win over Henderson State in game one of the Great American Conference doubleheader. Errors proved costly in game two though as the Lady Bisons fell 3-1.
The loss snapped a 16-game winning streak that dated back to March 1.
Harding moves to 24-10 overall and 14-5 in the GAC.
Henderson State moves to 14-21 overall and 6-13 in the GAC.
GAME ONE (Harding 2, Henderson State 1)
Abby Burch pitched two innings of relief and got the win for Harding to improve to 10-3 on the season. She faced the minimum and had two strikeouts.
Harding had five hits in the game by five different players.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Henderson State took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Justine Burch.
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh, Macy Ham hit a single that knocked in Kaya Lee for the tying run. The next batter Mariana Caro drew the walk to win it for the Lady Bisons.
GAME NOTES
- Henderson State outhit Harding 7-5.
- Harding had four stolen bases in the game.
- Lily Warren led the Reddies at the plate going 3-for-3.
- Relief pitcher Katelyn McMahan received the loss for Henderson State and falls to 3-3 on the season. She pitched 1 1/3 innings and had one strikeout.
GAME TWO (Henderson State 3, Harding 1)
Abby Burch started and received the loss for Harding. She falls to 10-4 on the season. She pitched five innings, walked two and had one strikeout. Riley Price came out of the pen and closed the game and didn't give up a hit for the Lady Bisons.
Harding only had two hits in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the top of the third inning, Henderson State took a 1-0 lead when Jorika Alvarez hit a double to right center that scored Mackenzie Williams from first.
Harding tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Mariana Caro hit a double to left center that scored Macy Ham.
The Reddies broke the tie in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Emylee Bittinger.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Henderson State made it 3-1. Jay Albiter scored on a Harding error.
GAME NOTES
- Henderson State outhit Harding 5-2.
- Harding had four stolen bases in the game.
- Hilary Akers led the Reddies going 2-for-3.
- Meagan Allen got the win for Henderson State and improves to 4-4 on the season. She threw the complete game, walked four and had one strikeout.
NEXT UP
The two teams will wrap up their series Saturday with a single game at noon.