SEARCY, Ark. – The Harding softball team used dominant pitching and timely late-inning offense to sweep a doubleheader from Henderson State on Friday afternoon at Ingram Field, winning the opener 7-1 before taking the second game 2-0.
With the sweep, Harding moves to 10-12 overall and 5-3 in Great American Conference play, while Henderson State falls to 9-10 and 3-5 in the GAC.
Game 1: Harding 7, Henderson State 1
Junior Avery Booker (5-3) was the story in the circle for the Lady Bisons in the opener, tossing a complete-game two-hitter. Booker was perfect through five innings before allowing a leadoff walk and an eventual RBI groundout in the sixth. She struck out five and allowed the one earned run.
Harding's offense provided support starting in the third inning when Ella Friederich reached on an error that allowed Logan Ringel and Bailey Robinson to score. The Lady Bisons added two more in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Payton Alexander and an RBI single from Cameron Timmons.
The Lady Bisons put the game away with a three-run sixth inning. After Alexander scored on an error, Friederich delivered the big blow with a two-run single up the middle to push the lead to 7-1.
Game 2: Harding 2, Henderson State 0
The nightcap featured a classic pitcher's duel between Harding's Brooklyn Gobble and Henderson State's Presley Applegate. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning.
Bailey Robinson ignited the decisive rally with a leadoff walk, followed by an Ella Friederich single. After Zoey Neal loaded the bases with a bunt single, Lana Danielson drove in the game's first run with a fielder's choice. A wild pitch and a throwing error by the Reddies' catcher allowed Neal to scamper home for an insurance run.
Gobble (5-8) earned the shutout victory, scattering two hits over seven innings while striking out a season-high eight. Logan Ringel led the Harding bats in game two, finishing 2-for-2 at the plate.
Next Up
The two teams will wrap up their series Sunday at 5 p.m., in Searcy. The game was moved to due the weather forecast on Saturday.
