SEARCY, Ark. — The 10th-ranked Harding softball team split its doubleheader against No. 17 Rogers State on Monday, dramatically winning the first game 5-4 on a walk-off grand slam before falling by the same score in the second game.
Harding moves to 35-12 overall and Rogers State moves to 33-12.
GAME ONE – Harding 5, Rogers State 4
Zoey Neal's seventh-inning grand slam powered No. 10 Harding to a dramatic 5-4 victory over No. 17 Rogers State in game one Monday.
The Lady Bisons trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Neal's clutch hit with the bases loaded off Rogers State's Harley Culie (15-5) flipped the script. It marked the second walk-off grand slam in program history. Hannah Garrett hit a walk-off grand slam against Wayne State in 2020.
Rogers State (32-12) jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by Abbey Rogers' solo home run. They added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
In the sixth, Emma Zaboronek's double and Riley Price's sacrifice fly scored Harding's first run. Then, in the decisive seventh, Bailey Willis singled, Macy Ham singled, and Kaya Lee bunted for a single to load the bases, setting the stage for Neal's heroics.
Riley Price earned the win (11-6) in relief, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. Brooklyn Gobble pitched five innings, allowing four runs on three hits, striking out four and walking two.
Culie took the loss for Rogers State, surrendering five runs on eight hits in six innings.
GAME TWO – Rogers State 5, Harding 4
No. 10 Harding couldn't overcome the first inning as Rogers State won 5-4 in game two.
Chloe Bohuslavicky delivered an RBI single with the bases loaded to give the Hillcats a 1-0 lead. Rogers State followed it up by a two-RBI single from Bridgett Morales. A Harding fielding error allowed another run, and a sacrifice fly plated a fourth, giving Rogers State a 4-0 lead.
Rogers State added another run in the third via an RBI single from Morales, extending their lead to 5-0.
Harding began to claw back in the fourth. With the bases loaded, Brooke Johnson delivered a crucial two-run single, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
The Lady Bisons continued their rally in the fifth. With the bases loaded, Gobble delivered a clutch two-run single, bringing Harding within one run.
Harding had a runner at third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh but Rogers State got out of it to seal the win.
Rogers State's Jade Sanders (13-6) pitched a complete game, allowing four runs—three earned—on seven hits while striking out eight.
Harding will be back in action later this week. The Lady Bisons will travel to Bethany, Oklahoma to take on Southern Nazarene Thursday and Friday. First pitch of the three-game series will be Thursday at 4 p.m.
