ADA, Okla. – In a day defined by razor-thin margins, the Harding baseball team suffered two grueling 7-6 losses to East Central on Saturday at Ken Turner Field. Both contests saw the Bisons lead late, only for the Tigers to rally for walk-off or go-ahead runs in the final frames.
Game 1: East Central 7, Harding 6 (9 innings)
The Bisons out-hit the Tigers 15-8, but East Central made their hits count when it mattered most. Harding entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a 6-4 lead following a two-run surge in the top of the frame, highlighted by RBI singles from Easton Jones and Johnathan Jackson.
However, the Tigers (8-15, 6-9 GAC) staged a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth. After two batters were hit by pitches and a walk loaded the bases, Joey Allen delivered the decisive blow—a bases-clearing double to right field that scored three runs and gave ECU the walk-off victory.
Collin Helms led the Harding offense in the opener, going 3-for-6 with a triple and a double. Merritt Jay provided a solid start, striking out six over five innings, but the Bisons' bullpen couldn't hold the lead in the ninth.
Game 2: East Central 7, Harding 6 (7 innings)
The nightcap followed an eerily similar script. Harding (13-10, 9-6 GAC) erased an early deficit to take a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning, sparked by a two-run single from Easton Jones and an RBI base knock by Dom Davis.
The Tigers responded with a run in the fifth and a three-run explosion in the sixth. Pinch-hitter Trace Necess provided the biggest spark for ECU, hitting a two-out, two-run home run to left-center that put the Tigers ahead 7-5.
The Bisons didn't go quietly in their final at-bat. In the top of the seventh, Harding loaded the bases and pulled within one when Collin Helms drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 7-6. With the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, ECU reliever Zane Wilson managed to induce a groundout from Phoenix West to end the threat and secure the sweep for the Tigers.
Series Notes
Despite the two losses on Saturday, Harding took the series opener on Friday, finishing the weekend 1-2. Easton Jones was a consistent force throughout the doubleheader, tallying four hits and four RBIs across the two games. The Bisons' discipline remained a factor as they drew 12 total walks on the day, but they left 24 runners on base across the two games.
Harding's next action is a Tuesday neutral site game against Trevecca Nazarene at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee. First pitch is at 3 p.m.
