WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The 17th-ranked Harding softball team split with Southwestern Oklahoma Sunday in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons took the first game 14-0 in five innings but dropped the second game of the doubleheader 5-1.
Harding moves to 14-3 overall and 2-1 in the GAC.
Southwestern Oklahoma moves to 6-7 overall and 1-2 in the GAC.
GAME ONE – Harding 14, Southwestern Oklahoma 0
No. 17 Harding exploded for six runs in the first inning and never looked back, defeating Southwestern Oklahoma 14-0 in a five-inning, run-rule victory on Sunday.
The Lady Bisons' first-inning outburst was highlighted by Bailey Willis' grand slam to center field. Kaya Lee singled to start the inning, and Zoey Neal and Alexis Boswell followed with run-scoring hits.
Harding added four more runs in the second inning, capped by Emaline Pearson's grand slam to right field. It was the first time in program history Harding has hit two grand slams in a game. The Lady Bisons made it 12-0 with two more runs in the third, thanks to an RBI single from Lee and an RBI double from Neal.
Brooklyn Gobble tossed her first complete-game shutout for Harding, striking out nine and allowing just four hits. Gobble improved to 6-1 on the season.
The Lady Bisons added two more runs in the fifth inning, with Neal driving in two runs with a double to left field.
Riley Lusk took the loss for Southwestern Oklahoma and falls to 0-2 on the season.
GAME TWO – Southwestern Oklahoma 5, Harding 1
The Lady Bisons struggled to get their offense going against Southwestern Oklahoma's Alexis Taylor, who pitched five shutout innings. Taylor allowed only three hits and a walk while striking out four.
Riley Price (4-2) took the loss for Harding, allowing three runs, one earned, on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. Avery Booker and Brooklyn Gobble also pitched for the Lady Bisons.
Harding's only run came in the seventh inning, with Emma Curry doubling home Bailey Willis. Macy Ham had two hits, including a double, and Willis also had a double for the Lady Bisons.
The Bulldogs took an early lead in the first inning and added two more runs in the second inning. Katie Boline's two-run homer in the fifth inning sealed the win for Southwestern Oklahoma.
Harding will be back in action next weekend when it plays its home opener in a Great American Conference series against Ouachita Baptist. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.
