MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Playing at the former Olympic training grounds of USA Baseball, the Harding Bisons put on a gold-medal performance Tuesday afternoon. Harding exploded for a season-high 20 hits to sprint past No. 23-ranked Trevecca Nazarene, 15-5, at USA Stadium.

The victory marked the 13th win in the last 14 neutral-site games for Harding (14-10). It was the 22nd time in the program's NCAA Division II era that the Bisons recorded at least 20 hits in a game, and their most prolific scoring output since the season opener.

CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER OFFENSE

Freshman center fielder Easton Jones turned in a performance worthy of the stadium's history, finishing a perfect 5-for-6 with a double and four runs scored. Jones' five-hit barrage was the 12th such game in Harding's NCAA history and the first since Nathan Bowie in the 2025 GAC Tournament. Jones has now hit safely in 11 straight games.

Shortstop Cooper Newsom provided the power, launching his team-leading sixth home run of the year—a three-run shot to left-center—in a decisive third inning. Newsom finished with five RBIs, his second game this season with five or more.

Catcher Dom Davis continued his scorching stretch, going 4-for-6 with two doubles. Davis has now recorded multiple hits in five straight games and carries a nine-game hitting streak into the weekend. First baseman Jack Opoien also reached season highs with three hits and four RBIs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trevecca Nazarene (20-7), who had a seven-game winning streak snapped, took an early 2-0 lead in the first against Harding starter Ricky Howell. The Bisons responded with a massive six-run third inning to take control. Following Newsom's blast, Opoien delivered a two-run single and Collin Helms added an RBI double to make it 7-2.

Harding extended the lead in the fourth with RBI singles from Jones, Opoien, and Bo Solley. The Bisons put the game out of reach with a four-run ninth, highlighted by a two-run double from Newsom and an RBI double from Davis.

ON THE MOUND

Caleb Oligschlaeger (1-1) earned his first win in a Harding uniform, providing three innings of stellar relief. He allowed just one run on two hits. Following Oligschlaeger, Keaton Baird threw 1.2 innings of hitless ball. Austin Kelly finished the job in the ninth, retiring the side in order to secure the win. Howell went 3.1 innings in his first career start, allowing four runs on eight hits.

BY THE NUMBERS

• 8: Doubles in the game, only two off the school record and the most since legging out eight two-baggers against Williams Baptist in 2021

• 20: Hits by Harding, the first 20-hit game for the team since Feb. 16, 2024, at Southern Nazarene.

• 15: Runs scored, the most against a ranked opponent this season.

• 6: Double-digit hit games for Dom Davis in his last nine starts

UP NEXT

Harding returns to Great American Conference play this weekend as they host Southeastern Oklahoma State for a three-game series at Jerry Moore Field. The series opener is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m.