SEARCY, Ark. – Senior Brooklyn Gobble fanned a career-high 10 batters in a dominant complete-game shutout to lead Harding to a 7-0 victory and a doubleheader sweep of Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday at Ingram Field.
The milestone performance from Gobble (12-8) anchored a 14-inning scoreless stretch for the Lady Bisons' pitching staff, which also saw Avery Booker toss a three-hit shutout in a 2-0 opening win. With the sweep, Harding (20-12, 15-3 GAC) extended its winning streak to 12 games and improved to a perfect 12-0 at home this season. It was Harding fourth-straight GAC series sweep.
Game 1: Harding 2, UAM 0
Sophomore Avery Booker (8-3) threw a dominant three-hit shutout to open the doubleheader. Booker struck out seven Blossoms and issued only one walk in the complete-game effort.
Harding provided all the support Booker would need in the first inning. Tori Turner led off with a single and eventually scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Ella Friederich. The Lady Bisons added an insurance run in the sixth when Baylee McGregor delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Bailey Robinson, who walked and stole second earlier in the frame.
Robinson finished the opener 2-for-2 with a walk, while Logan Ringel added a triple.
Game 2: Harding 7, UAM 0
Gobble was the story of the second game, surrendering only five hits and one walk while keeping the Blossoms (11-23, 4-14 GAC) off balance throughout.
The Harding offense provided plenty of cushion with a five-run explosion in the third inning. After bunt singles by Bailey Willis and Logan Ringel, Bailey Robinson delivered a two-run double to left-center. Zoey Neal followed immediately with a three-run home run down the left-field line—her second of the series—to push the lead to 5-0.
The Lady Bisons added two insurance runs in the sixth when Robinson notched her third hit of the game with an RBI double, followed by an RBI single from Ella Friederich.
Up Next
Harding will be back in action next weekend when it travels to Magnolia, Arkansas to take on Southern Arkansas in a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m.
