SHAWNEE, Okla. — History repeated itself on Friday afternoon as the Harding softball team did what no other Great American Conference opponent has done in over four years: win a series at No. 16 Oklahoma Baptist.
Behind a five-run third inning and a gritty relief effort from Brooklyn Gobble, Harding defeated Oklahoma Baptist 7-5 at Regent Bank Park. The victory marks the first time since March 2022 that a GAC opponent has won a series in Shawnee—a feat last accomplished by Harding during that same 2022 season.
Harding (23-15) used a clinical third-inning outburst to erase an early 2-1 deficit. After Bailey Robinson and Zoey Neal sparked the rally with back-to-back singles, Lana Danielson drew a bases-loaded walk to knot the score. Alexis Boswell then delivered the go-ahead blow, a two-run double down the left-field line.
The Lady Bisons extended the lead to 6-2 later in the inning when Kate Pierce came off the bench for a clutch two-run pinch-hit single. Harding added what proved to be a vital insurance run in the fourth when Robinson scored on a wild pitch.
Oklahoma Baptist (34-8) attempted to defend its home turf late. Katelyn Kilgore, who finished with four RBIs on the day, cut the lead to 7-4 with a two-run single in the fourth.
However, Gobble took control in the circle. Entering in the fourth inning, she threw 3.2 innings of effective relief to earn the win. She allowed just one run and three hits against a potent OBU lineup that entered the day among the conference leaders in most offensive categories.
Oklahoma Baptist made one final push in the seventh. After Kaley Cook doubled to lead off the inning, Haley Hacker drove her home with a two-out RBI single to bring the tying run to the plate. The threat ended moments later when Boswell, Harding's catcher, fired a strike to second base to catch Hacker stealing and secure the series win.
Neal led the Harding hit parade, finishing 3-for-3, while Logan Ringel added a multi-hit performance. Danielson showcased elite plate discipline, reaching base three times via walks and scoring twice.
Jaycee Shaff (18-3) took the loss for Oklahoma Baptist, allowing seven runs in three innings.
Harding will be back in action Tuesday when it travels to Claremore, Oklahoma to take on Rogers State in a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
