SEARCY – The 17th-ranked Harding softball team swept both Great American Conference games Friday against Ouachita Baptist. The Lady Bisons won the first game 8-6 and the second game 2-1.
It was the first games Harding has played at home. The Lady Bisons are now 10-2 in their home opener.
Harding improves to 16-3 on the season and 4-1 in the GAC.
Ouachita Baptist falls to 8-9 overall and 2-3 in the GAC.
GAME ONE – Harding 8, Ouachita Baptist 6
Macy Ham had three hits, including a triple, and scored four runs, and No. 17 Harding softball rallied from an early deficit to defeat Ouachita Baptist 8-6 on Friday.
Ouachita Baptist jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, thanks to a two-run double by Karley Burrow and an RBI single by Jessalyn Ahrens.
Harding responded quickly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Ham tripled to lead off the inning and scored on a single by Kaya Lee. Lee then stole second and scored on a fielder's choice, and Emaline Pearson added an RBI double to tie the game.
The Lady Bisons took the lead with two runs in the second inning, thanks to an RBI single by Zoey Neal and a sacrifice fly by Emma Curry.
Ouachita Baptist took a 6-5 lead with three runs in the third inning, but Curry's solo home run in the bottom of the third tied it for Harding.
Harding took the lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Zoey Neal. The Lady Bisons added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single by Kaya Lee.
Avery Booker (5-0) earned the win in relief, allowing one run on three hits over 4 2/3 innings. Catie Amador (5-3) took the loss, surrendering eight runs on 10 hits in six innings.
Game Two – Harding 2, Ouachita Baptist 1
Riley Price pitched a complete game as No. 17 Harding slipped past Ouachita Baptist 2-1 on Friday.
Bailey Willis gave Harding a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single that scored Emaline Pearson.
Ouachita Baptist tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI single by Emily Whitman.
The Lady Bisons took the lead for good in the sixth on an RBI single by Riley Price, scoring Lana Danielson, who had pinch-run for Emma Curry.
Ouachita Baptist threatened in the seventh, but Price shut the door.
Price (5-1) allowed one run on six hits, striking out two and walking one. Karley Burrow (0-2) took the loss for Ouachita Baptist, giving up two runs on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The two teams will wrap up their series with a single game Saturday starting at noon.
