ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Harding softball team split with Ouachita Baptist Saturday in a Great American Conference doubleheader. The Lady Bisons won the first game 5-1 but lost the second game 7-6.
With Friday's win, Harding won the series 2-1.
Harding moves to 26-12 overall and 16-7 in the GAC.
Ouachita Baptist moves to 10-30 overall and 5-18 in the GAC.
GAME ONE (Harding 5, Ouachita Baptist 1)
Freshman Sarah Philips threw her first complete game Saturday for Harding and picked up her first collegiate win. She gave up four hits, no earned runs and had one strikeout.
Madison Fraley led Harding at the plate going 2-for-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Harding took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on two hits and two errors. Macy Ham scored the first run for the Lady Bisons on an Ouachita Baptist throwing error. Emma Curry knocked in the second run on an RBI single up the middle.
Ouachita Baptist got a run back in the first on one hit and a Harding error.
The Lady Bisons made it 5-1 in the top of the seventh scoring three runs on two hits and an Ouachita Baptist error. Mariana Caro and Jordan Cabana both had an RBI single in the inning.
GAME NOTES
- Harding outhit Ouachita Baptist 8-4.
- Seven different Harding players had a hit in the game.
- The Lady Bisons stole a season-high eight bases in the game which was the second most in program history. Harding stole nine bases in a game three different times, the last being against East Central in 2022.
- Tuesday Melton received the loss for Ouachita Baptist and falls to 3-10 on the season. She went the distance, gave up two earned runs and struck out two.
GAME TWO (Ouachita Baptist 7, Harding 6)
Harding used three different pitchers in the game loss. Abby Burch started and went 2 1/3 innings. She gave up three earned runs and struck out two. Sarah Philips pitched 1 1/3 innings of middle relief before Riley Price closed the game pitching 2 1/3 innings. Price received the loss and falls to 14-7 overall. She allowed one earned run and had a strikeout.
At the plate, Harding was led by Macy Ham, Jordan Cabana and Riley Price who each went 2-for-4.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Ouachita Baptist got the scoring started in the bottom of the first scoring a run on one hit and two Harding errors.
The Lady Bisons took a 3-1 lead in the third when Emma Curry hit a three-run homer to left center. It was her seventh of the season.
The Tigers answered back scoring four runs on four hits and a Harding error to lead 5-3.
Ouachita Baptist got a another run in the fourth on an RBI double by Baylee King.
Jordan Cabana hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to pull Harding within one 6-5. It was her seventh of the season.
The Lady Bisons tied the game in the top of the sixth inning when Macy Ham hit a single up the middle the scored Brooke Johnson from third.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning Lauren Lester hit an RBI single up the middle to give Ouachita Baptist the lead 7-6 lead.
GAME NOTES
- Ouachita Baptist outhit Harding 11-9.
- Harding only had one stolen base in the game.
- The first six batters in Harding's lineup all had a hit.
- Maggi Huddleston got the win for Ouachita Baptist and improves to 2-2 on the season. She pitched three innings of relief and gave up one earned run.
NEXT UP
Harding will be back in action Tuesday when it hosts Arkansas Tech at 4 p.m., to finish their three-game GAC series.
