SEARCY, Ark. – Harding baseball etched its name into the school record books Tuesday night at Jerry Moore Field, using a late-inning surge to defeat Henderson State 9-6. The victory was the fifth straight for the Bisons (24-16) and the third consecutive loss for the Reddies (23-17).
With five stolen bases in the contest, Harding reached 90 for the season, eclipsing the previous program record of 89 set in 2006.
The game was also a showcase for individual milestones. Third baseman Logan Lacey reached base for the 40th consecutive game, becoming just the third player in Harding history to achieve the feat. Lacey finished the night with two doubles, joining an elite group as only the fourth Bison to record 50 career doubles.
Shortstop Cooper Newsom added to his own school legacy, launching his 65th career double in the eighth inning to extend his program record and drive in two runs. Center fielder Easton Jones also moved into the single-season top five by collecting his 18th double of the year.
Harding trailed 4-1 early after Henderson State's Tanner Ross and Mason Krznarich both homered in the first and fourth innings, respectively. However, the Bisons began their comeback in the fifth when Nathan Bowie hit a solo home run.
The Bisons took the lead for good in a three-run seventh inning. Collin Helms provided the big blow with a two-run double to right-center, scoring Jones and Lacey to put Harding ahead 6-5. The Bisons added three more insurance runs in the eighth, highlighted by Newsom's two-RBI double.
Keaton Baird (2-1) earned the win in relief, striking out three in 1.2 innings of perfect work. Austin Kelley picked up his fourth save of the season, closing out the final 1.2 innings. Brennan Jarreau (0-2) took the loss for the Reddies.
Harding improved its dominant home record to 15-3 at Jerry Moore Field. Nathan Bowie led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring four runs.
The Bisons return to conference play this weekend, taking on Southern Nazarene in Bethany, Oklahoma. The series starts with a doubleheader Friday at noon and concludes Saturday at 1 p.m.
