SEARCY, Ark. – Cooper Newsom drove in a career-high six runs and launched a three-run home run as Harding completed a three-game sweep of Northwestern Oklahoma State with a 12-4 victory Saturday at Jerry Moore Field.

The Bisons (6-1, 3-0 GAC) pounded out 16 hits to secure their first Great American Conference sweep of the season. Newsom finished the day 3-for-4, adding a run-scoring single and a bases-loaded walk to his eighth-inning blast, surpassing his previous career high for runs batted in in a single game.

Harding wasted no time in the finale, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Collin Helms provided an RBI single, and the Bisons took advantage of two Ranger errors to plate two more unearned runs. After the Rangers (5-8, 0-3 GAC) narrowed the gap to 3-2 in the second, Harding broke the game open with a four-run third inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Nathan Bowie.

Bowie finished with three RBIs, while Helms went 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored.

CJ Ricaurte (1-0), the fifth of Harding's six pitchers used, was credited with the win. Ricaurte entered in the sixth inning and was dominant, stifling any hopes of a Ranger comeback by allowing no hits and only one walk over three innings of work.

Northwestern Oklahoma State was led by Cole Barton, who drove in three runs on two hits, and Brody Harris, who finished 3-for-5. Starter Trey Barkman (1-1) took the loss, surrendering seven runs on seven hits over three innings.

The Rangers were once again plagued by defensive miscues, committing two errors that led to two unearned runs. Over the three-game series, Northwestern Oklahoma State committed nine errors.

Harding has now won 11 of its last 12 meetings against the Rangers. The Bisons will look to carry their momentum into a non-conference mid-week matchup this Tuesday, Feb. 17, when they travel to Arkadelphia to face Ouachita Baptist. First pitch at Rab Rodgers Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.