ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The 16th-ranked Harding softball team swept Henderson State in a Great American doubleheader Friday. The Lady Bisons won the first game 5-3 and the second game 9-3.
Harding improves 19-3 overall and 7-1 in the GAC.
Henderson State falls to 12-6 overall and 4-4 in the GAC.
GAME ONE – Harding 5, Henderson State 3
No. 16 Harding scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat Henderson State 5-3 in the first game of a doubleheader Friday.
The Lady Bisons took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Henderson State scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead.
Harding rallied in the seventh, sparked by Zoey Neal's single and an error that allowed her to advance to second. Emma Curry walked, and Alexis Boswell followed with a single to load the bases. Riley Price then delivered a two-run single, and Cameron Timmons added an RBI single, scoring Boswell and securing the 5-3 victory.
Brooklyn Gobble (7-1) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Avery Booker started for Harding and pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits. Booker had six strikeouts.
Presley Applegate (1-1) took the loss for Henderson State, allowing three runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings.
GAME TWO – Harding 9, Henderson State 3
No. 16 Harding softball exploded for five runs in the third inning and added three more in the sixth to defeat Henderson State 9-3 on Friday at Dee White Field.
Zoey Neal led the Lady Bisons with two home runs and five RBIs. Her first homer, a three-run shot, capped the five-run third inning. Neal added a three-run homer in the sixth.
Harding starter Brooklyn Gobble struck out eight in 3.2 innings, and Riley Price (6-2) earned the win in relief, allowing one run on two hits in 3.1 innings.
Macy Hoskins hit a two-run homer to lead the Henderson State offense. Jersey Cabana (4-2) took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings.
The two teams will wrap up their series Saturday with a single game scheduled for a noon start.
