SEARCY, Ark. – Behind a pair of stellar pitching performances and timely power hitting, the Harding softball team opened Great American Conference play in style Thursday, sweeping a doubleheader from Southwestern Oklahoma at Ingram Field.

The Lady Bisons (7-9, 2-0 GAC) took the opener 10-1 in six innings before grinding out a 2-0 shutout in the nightcap.

Game 1: Harding 10, SWOSU 1 (6 Innings)

Harding's offense wasted no time in the home opener, exploding for four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Alexis Boswell got the scoring started with a two-run double to right field, followed immediately by a line drive two-run home run to left by Lana Danielson.

The Lady Bisons continued to pressure the Bulldogs, adding single runs in the third and fifth innings. The game ended early via the run rule in the sixth when Harding plated four more runs, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Ella Friederich and a two-run knock by Bailey Robinson.

Freshman Avery Booker (3-2) earned the win in the circle, continuing her recent run of dominance. Booker allowed just one unearned run on a single hit over 6.0 innings, striking out one and walking one.

Robinson led the hit parade with a 3-for-4 performance, while Boswell and Danielson each finished with three RBIs.

Game 2: Harding 2, SWOSU 0

The second game of the day proved to be a classic pitcher's duel. Harding starter Brooklyn Gobble (4-6) was magnificent, tossing a complete-game shutout. Gobble surrendered six hits—all singles—while striking out six Bulldogs to secure the sweep.

Harding provided Gobble with all the support she would need in the first inning when Zoey Neal crushed a solo home run to left-center. It was Neal's third home run of the season.

The Lady Bisons added an insurance run in the second. Lana Danielson led off with a single, stole third, and was driven home on a sacrifice fly by Gobble herself.

SWOSU (3-12, 0-2 GAC) threatened in the seventh, putting two runners on with two outs, but Gobble induced a game-ending groundout to shortstop to preserve the shutout.

Up Next

Harding and SWOSU will conclude their three-game series Friday at 1 p.m.