SEARCY, Ark. – Seniors Logan Lacey and Collin Helms provided the fireworks in game one, launching back-to-back home runs in a massive five-run eighth inning to propel the Harding baseball team to a series-clinching victory over Ouachita Baptist on Saturday at Jerry Moore Field. The Tigers managed to salvage the finale of the three-game Great American Conference set with a narrow 5-4 win in game two.

With the split, Harding moves to 10-5 overall and 7-2 in GAC play, one game back of leader Arkansas-Monticello.

GAME 1: Harding 7, Ouachita Baptist 6

The opener was a pitcher's duel for much of the afternoon. Harding starter Merritt Jay (3-1) was spectacular, limiting the Tigers to just one run on six hits while striking out six in 6.1 innings of work.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the eighth, the Bison offense finally ignited. Jensen Presley led off with a single, and after Nathan Bowie reached on an error, Lacey connected on a three-run blast to left field—his second of the season—to give Harding the lead. Three batters later, Helms cleared the fence in right for a two-run shot to push the lead to 7-1.

The cushion was needed, as Ouachita Baptist rallied for five runs in the ninth. Keaton Baird was called upon with the bases loaded and one out; he induced a game-ending 6-4-3 double play to secure his first save and the series win.

GAME 2: Ouachita Baptist 5, Harding 4

Harding jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the nightcap. Nathan Bowie led off the first with a solo home run to right, and the Bisons added two more in the second on RBI hits from Brayden Mineo and Jensen Presley.

Ouachita Baptist responded with three runs in the third and took the lead in the fifth. The Bisons fought back to tie it in the sixth when Bowie singled, stole second, and scored on a Logan Lacey RBI single up the middle.

However, the Tigers found the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Jaren Ceasar. Harding put the tying run on base in the seventh, but Tiger reliever Kyndall Cassidy retired the final four Bisons in order to earn the save.

UP NEXT

Harding returns to the diamond Tuesday, March 3, for a non-conference tilt at Union (TN) in Jackson, Tennessee. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Bisons will then head to Arkadelphia next weekend for a three-game GAC series at Henderson State.