ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Harding baseball opened its 2026 season in explosive fashion Friday afternoon, erupting for a 19-7 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith at Clyde Berry Field. The 19-run output was the Bisons' highest scoring total in a season opener since 2015 and was fueled by a school-record four home runs for a season-opening game. The matchup also marked the first meeting between the two programs since 2015, with Harding improving to 1-0 on the young season.
Senior third baseman Logan Lacey led the power surge, tying a career high with five RBIs. Lacey's three-run home run in the seventh inning was the 26th of his career, moving him within one of tying Harding Hall of Famers Vince Adams and Adam Darby for third on the program's all-time list. Shortstop Cooper Newsom added a two-run home run, his 17th career long ball, and Phoenix West made a splash in his first Harding at-bat with a pinch-hit home run in the ninth inning—the Bisons' first pinch-hit homer since Caleb Barger vs. Southwestern Oklahoma in 2022.
Beyond the power, Harding showed elite plate discipline by drawing 13 walks, which tied for the fifth-most in a single game in school history. Lead-off hitter Nathan Bowie extended his on-base streak to 31 games dating back to last season and became the 10th Bison to record four or more walks in a single contest. Catcher Collin Helms also reached base frequently, tying a career high with three walks while collecting his 30th career double.
On the mound, graduate student Kyle Lane earned his 10th career win in a landmark performance. Making his first career start in his 52nd collegiate appearance, the longtime closer threw 6.0 innings and struck out four batters. Freshmen Austin Kelley and Kai Twaites followed Lane to make their collegiate debuts in relief, combining to allow just one unearned run over the final three innings of play to seal the victory.
The Bisons received several other notable contributions from both veterans and newcomers. Johnathan Jackson turned in his first career multi-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a triple and his second career home run. Transfer Jack Opoien recorded both a double and a triple in his Harding debut, while freshman Easton Jones earned the start in center field and collected two singles. Dom Davis also impressed in his first game in black and gold, scoring three runs and hitting a double.
Harding returns to the Henderson State Invitational on Saturday for a doubleheader, facing Fort Hays State at 10 a.m. followed by a matchup against Missouri Southern at 1:30 p.m.
