SEARCY – The 10th-ranked Harding softball team fell in both games of a Great American Conference doubleheader to Oklahoma Baptist Friday. Oklahoma Baptist won 2-0 and 6-4.
Harding falls to 33-11 overall and 17-9 in the GAC.
Oklahoma Baptist improves to 27-14 overall and 20-5 in the GAC.
GAME ONE – Oklahoma Baptist 2, Harding 0
A late-inning surge propelled Oklahoma Baptist to a 2-0 victory over Harding in game one of the doubleheader.
Oklahoma Baptist broke a scoreless deadlock in the sixth inning when Ally Ryan launched a solo home run to right field. They added an insurance run in the seventh, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly from Abby Laskowski, after Greenlee Wells' single and stolen base put runners in scoring position.
Harding struggled to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, leaving 11 runners stranded. Despite outhitting Oklahoma Baptist 10-3, Harding failed to push a runner across the plate. Kaya Lee, Zoey Neal, and Emaline Pearson each recorded multiple hits. Pearson went 3-for-4 to lead Harding.
Early on, Harding threatened in the first inning when Neal and Pearson hit back-to-back singles and Emma Curry was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, but the Lady Bisons failed to score.
Oklahoma Baptist's Jaycee Shaffer (15-2) pitched 6.2 scoreless innings and allowed 10 hits while striking out six. Morgan Max secured the save, retiring the final batter with a strikeout.
Harding pitcher Brooklyn Gobble (14-4) took the loss, despite a strong outing where she allowed only three hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out six.
GAME TWO – Oklahoma Baptist 6, Harding 4
A five-run third inning propelled Oklahoma Baptist to a 6-4 victory over Harding in game two of the doubleheader.
Harding struck first, with Kaya Lee scoring on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first after a bunt single and a Zoey Neal single.
The pivotal third inning began by a Harding error allowing Kaley Cook to reach base. Morgan Max then delivered a two-RBI single, and Greenlee Wells followed with a three-run homer to center field, all runs were unearned.
Oklahoma Baptist added another run in the fourth, courtesy of a solo home run by Hailey Stanford.
Harding attempted a comeback in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs aided by three Oklahoma Baptist errors. Jadyn Booth drove in a run with a fielder's choice, and two more runs scored on subsequent errors.
Riley Price (10-6) took the loss for Harding, surrendering six runs, only one of which was earned, on five hits in three innings. Avery Booker provided relief, pitching four scoreless innings.
Morgan Max (5-7) earned the win for Oklahoma Baptist, pitching 3.2 innings of relief and allowing only one run.
The two teams will wrap up their series Saturday with a single game at noon.
