BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A late pinch-hit home run from St. Edward's Alyssa Burdge proved to be the difference Sunday morning as the Harding softball team fell 4-2 to the Hilltoppers on the final day of the Alvy Early Softball Classic.
The loss brings a close to the weekend for the Lady Bisons, who move to 4-5 on the season after finishing the three-day event with a 2-3 record.
How it Happened
St. Edward's (3-4) struck early, pushing across two runs in the top of the first inning. Sloane Hill grounded out to second to score the first run, followed by an RBI single from Sofia Aponte to give the Hilltoppers a quick 2-0 lead.
Harding responded in the second inning when Bailey Robinson singled and later scored following a throwing error by the St. Edward's third baseman on a ball hit by Baylee McGregor.
The Lady Bisons tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Alexis Boswell led off the inning by launching a solo home run to deep left field, her second of the season, to knot the score at 2-2. Harding threatened to take the lead later in the inning with two runners on, but a groundout ended the rally.
In the top of the seventh, Aponte led off with a double for the Hilltoppers. One batter later, Burdge entered as a pinch hitter and delivered a two-run blast to deep left field, regaining the lead for St. Edward's at 4-2.
Tori Turner hit a single—her third hit of the game—to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Hilltoppers retired got a putout in right field to seal the win.
Stats of the Game
· Top Hitters: Tori Turner led the Harding offense, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Alexis Boswell finished 2-for-3 with a home run.
· In the Circle: Avery Booker started and pitched 5.0 solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Brooklyn Gobble took the loss in relief, allowing two runs on two hits over the final 2.0 innings.
· Consistency: Harding out-hit St. Edward's 8-7 and did not commit an error in the contest.
Up Next
The Lady Bisons will travel to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, next weekend for the D2 Festival. Harding opens play Friday, Feb. 13, against Central Oklahoma at 11 a.m., followed by a four-game slate across Saturday and Sunday.
