BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Harding softball team defeated Newman 9-0 in five innings Friday but dropped the second game to McKendree 4-3 on the first day of the Alvy Early/UAM Softball Classic.
Harding moves to 6-1 on the season.
GAME ONE – Harding 9, Newman 0 (5 Inn.)
Brooklyn Gobble pitched 3 2/3 shutout innings to lead Harding to a 9-0 victory over Newman on Friday.
Gobble (3-0) allowed just one hit and struck out six to earn the win. Avery Booker pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to complete the shutout, Harding's third consecutive.
Harding's offense was led by Jadyn Booth, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning. The Lady Bisons added two more runs in the second, including a solo homer by Bailey Willis.
The game was broken open in the third inning, as Harding scored five runs on seven hits, including a double by Lana Danielson and an RBI single by Gobble.
Newman's Tori Waggoner had the only hit for the Jets, a double in the third inning. AJ Borja drew two walks for Newman, but the Jets were unable to capitalize on their limited scoring opportunities.
Zoe Fulks (0-1) took the loss for Newman, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in 2 2/3 innings. Makenna Majors pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for the Jets.
GAME TWO – McKendree 4, Harding 3
The Lady Bisons were held scoreless through the first five innings by McKendree's Emily Vetter, who scattered just two hits during that span.
Harding's offense came alive in the sixth, scoring three runs highlighted by a two-run homer by Emma Curry and an RBI single by Zoey Neal.
In the bottom of the seventh, Samantha Huck singled and advanced to third on a double by Morgan Spodarek. After Lauren Harris was intentionally walked, Alexis Grenzebac walked to force in the winning run.
Riley Price (2-1) took the loss for Harding, allowing four runs on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Avery Booker pitched to two batters in the seventh, walking both.
McKendree improved to 4-1 and Newman fell to 0-5.
Harding plays Missouri-St. Louis (11 a.m.) and Central Missouri (1:30 p.m.) tomorrow.
