ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Senior Phoenix West launched two home runs and Ryan Romolo tossed a dominant one-hit shutout as Harding baseball split a Great American Conference doubleheader with Henderson State on Friday at Clyde Berry Field.

The Bisons (11-7, 8-3 GAC) lost in the series opener, 4-3, on a walk-off single in the ninth, but responded with a 6-0 victory in the nightcap to earn the split.

GAME 2: Harding 6, Henderson State 0

The story of the finale was Romolo (4-0) and West. Romolo was untouchable, facing just four batters over the minimum in a seven-inning complete game. He surrendered only one hit—a one-out single to Tanner Ross in the bottom of the sixth—while striking out nine and walking three.

West provided all the run support Romolo would need early. In the first inning, he followed a Logan Lacey single with a two-run blast to right field. He extended the lead to 4-0 in the third with his second solo shot of the game, again to right field. It was the first multi-HR game by a Harding player this season.

Harding added a run in the second on a Johnathan Jackson sacrifice bunt that scored Easton Jones. The Bisons capped the scoring in the sixth when Jack Opoien reached on an error that allowed both Collin Helms and Dom Davis to cross the plate.

Davis and Opoien both finished with hits and stolen bases in the win, while Romolo improved his perfect record on the season.

GAME 1: Henderson State 4, Harding 3

In the opener, Harding out-hit the Reddies 12-6 but stranded runners in key situations.

Harding took an early lead in the first when Cooper Newsom reached on a fielder's choice and a throwing error allowed Lacey to score. West extended the lead to 2-0 in the fifth with an RBI triple that scored Newsom.

The Reddies (11-8, 5-6 GAC) answered in the bottom of the fifth, scoring three runs—two of which were unearned—following a Harding defensive error to take a 3-2 lead.

The Bisons showed resilience in the eighth. With the bases loaded, Jack Opoien was hit by a pitch to force home West, tying the game at 3-3. Harding starter Kyle Lane was excellent in a no-decision, pitching 7.0 innings and allowing only one earned run while striking out four. In the top of the ninth, Newsom doubled with two outs to tie the school doubles record (57) of Luke Van Dover from 2017-21. He was stranded at third.

In the bottom of the ninth, Henderson State's Cooper McClure reached on a one-out walk and advanced to second. Nate Moore then delivered a two-out, walk-off single to center field to give the Reddies the win.

Austin Kelley (1-1) took the loss in relief, while Tyler Bates earned the win for Henderson State.

Stat Leaders

• Game 1: Phoenix West (4-for-5, 3B, RBI, R; HU's first four-hit game of the season); Cooper Newsom (2-for-5, 2B, R); Easton Jones (2-for-4).

• Game 2: Phoenix West (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI); Jack Opoien (2-for-3, SB); Ryan Romolo (7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 9 K).

Up Next The Bisons and Reddies will conclude the three-game series with a single game on Sunday, March 8. First pitch at Clyde Berry Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.