BETHANY, Okla. – The 19th-ranked Harding softball team dropped both games of a Great American Conference doubleheader at Southern Nazarene Friday. The Lady Bisons fell 3-0 and 4-2.
Harding falls to 36-14 overall and 19-11 in the GAC.
Southern Nazarene improves to 28-10 overall and 17-12 in the GAC.
GAME ONE – Southern Nazarene 3, Harding 0
Harding's offense sputtered as Hailey Evans' third-inning home run propelled Southern Nazarene to a 3-0 victory over the Lady Bisons in the first game of a Friday doubleheader.
The Lady Bisons had two hits against Southern Nazarene (27-20, 16-12 GAC) pitcher Janie Worthington, who earned a complete-game shutout.
After two scoreless innings, Evans led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot to right-center off Harding starter Riley Price. Southern Nazarene then took advantage of a pair of Harding errors to tack on two unearned runs.
Harding struggled to get anything going offensively. Bailey Willis managed a bunt single in the third inning and advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt, but was left stranded. Emaline Pearson had the Lady Bisons' only other hit with a single in the seventh.
Price (11-7) took the loss for Harding, pitching two innings and allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits. Avery Booker came on in relief and threw four scoreless innings, striking out five while surrendering four hits.
Worthington was in control for the Crimson Storm, striking out six and limiting the Lady Bisons to just the two singles.
GAME TWO – Southern Nazarene 4, Harding 2
Despite outhitting Southern Nazarene, the Harding softball team fell 4-2 in the second game of Friday's doubleheader, dropping the twinbill to the Crimson Storm.
Harding collected eight hits, but Southern Nazarene capitalized on an error and timely hitting in the decisive third inning.
The Lady Bisons took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Emaline Pearson scored on a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the third, Southern Nazarene scored four runs. Maddie Southerland reached on a Harding error, allowing Noa Dodson to score the go-ahead run. Eden Anderson capped the rally with a two-run double to right-center, making it 4-1.
Harding scored its second run in the sixth when Emaline Pearson doubled down the right field line to score Macy Ham.
Pearson led Harding at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Macy Ham and Zoey Neal also had two hits for the Lady Bisons.
Brooklyn Gobble (16-5) took the loss for Harding, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in 2 1/3 innings. Avery Booker pitched well in relief, surrendering just two hits and striking out one over the final 3 2/3 innings.
Kelsi Hilton (3-1) earned the win for Southern Nazarene, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. Janie Worthington picked up the save, striking out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Harding will be back in action next weekend when it hosts Northwestern Oklahoma in its final regular season series. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.
