SEARCY, Ark. — Collin Helms homered and drove in a career-high six runs as Harding dismantled Oklahoma Baptist 15-5 on Friday night at Jerry Moore Field. The victory carries massive postseason implications, as the Bisons (21-16, 15-10 GAC) moved into a tie for third place in the Great American Conference standings.
Helms' six RBIs tied the most by a Harding player this season, matching the mark set by Cooper Newsom against Northwestern Oklahoma on Feb. 14.
The win, combined with a Southern Arkansas loss, allows Harding to pull even with the Muleriders for the No. 3 spot in the conference race. Conversely, the defeat drops Oklahoma Baptist (11-14 GAC) into a precarious position; they now hold the eighth and final tournament spot by just a half-game over a three-team logjam of SWOSU, NWOSU, and Ouachita Baptist.
How it Happened
Harding wasted no time, scoring three in the first inning highlighted by Helms' two-run double. Phoenix West added a solo home run in the second—his second of the season—to extend the lead to 4-0.
After Oklahoma Baptist narrowed the gap to 4-3 in the third, Harding responded with a five-run fourth inning. Helms provided the exclamation point with a three-run home run to left field, his seventh of the year.
The Bisons ended the game in the eighth via the run rule when West singled through the left side to score Newsom, securing the 15-5 final.
On the Mound
Junior right-hander Kyle Lane (6-0) remained undefeated, navigating seven innings and striking out seven. Despite allowing three runs in the third, Lane retired 12 of the final 15 batters he faced to earn the win.
GAC Standings Impact
With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, the top of the GAC is tightening:
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Arkansas-Monticello (20-6)
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Arkansas Tech (17-8)
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Harding (15-10) / Southern Arkansas (15-10)
Harding and Oklahoma Baptist will conclude the series with a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
Game Notes
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Harding out-hit OBU 14-8.
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Phoenix West finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
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Easton Jones and Cooper Newsom each scored three runs.
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The Bisons have now won two straight and 3 of their last 4 conference games.
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Logan Lacey singled in his final at-bat to run his consecutive on-base streak to 37 games, tied with Coulton Doyle (2023) for the third-longest streak in program history.
