SEARCY, Ark. — Harding completed a three-game series sweep of Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday, leaning on a historic pitching performance in the opener and a high-powered offensive explosion in the nightcap to secure 4-3 and 13-6 victories at Jerry Moore Field.
The sweep moves Harding (23-16, 17-10 GAC) into sole possession of third place in the Great American Conference standings. The Bisons now sit two games behind Arkansas Tech for second and three games back of leader Arkansas-Monticello.
Game 1: Harding 4, Oklahoma Baptist 3 Senior right-hander Merritt Jay etched his name into the Harding record books in the first game of the doubleheader. Jay (5-2) earned the win after tossing seven innings of four-hit ball, striking out eight.
The victory was the 25th of Jay's career, making him only the third pitcher in program history to reach that mark. He is now tied with Lucas Waddell (2010-13) for second place on the all-time list, trailing only record holder Maddox Long (29).
The milestone was particularly poignant as Waddell was in attendance as part of a ceremony celebrating the 15th anniversary of Harding's 2011 NCAA Regional tournament team.
Harding trailed 1-0 until the sixth inning when Cooper Newsom and Collin Helms delivered RBI singles. In the seventh, Logan Lacey added a sacrifice fly and Helms drew a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to provide the necessary insurance. Austin Kelley earned his third save despite a late two-run rally by the Bison in the ninth.
Game 2: Harding 13, Oklahoma Baptist 6 The Bisons' bats took over in the series finale, highlighted by a seven-run fourth inning. Jack Opoien provided the big blow, a grand slam to left field that extended the Harding lead to 11-2.
Shortstop Cooper Newsom finished the game with four RBIs, including a two-run single in the fourth. With that performance, Newsom reached 50 RBIs for the season. He joins Jason Nappi (2010-11) as the only players in Harding history to record 50 or more RBIs in consecutive seasons.
Ryan Romolo (5-2) earned the win, allowing one earned run over four innings of work. Nathan Bowie set the tone at the top of the lineup, reaching base three times and scoring three runs.
Oklahoma Baptist (18-21, 11-16 GAC) struggled defensively, committing three errors in the finale and five total across the doubleheader. Teagon Standlee (2-3) took the loss, charged with seven runs in three-plus innings.
Harding returns to action Tuesday for a nonconference home game against Henderson State. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
