SEARCY, Ark. — Behind a historic performance from Logan Lacey and a four-hit afternoon from Nathan Bowie, Harding opened its weekend series with an 8-3 victory over Southern Arkansas on Thursday at Jerry Moore Field.
The win marked the first time the Bisons (18-15, 13-9 GAC) have won game one of a series against the Muleriders since an 11-10 victory in Magnolia in 2021. The loss was the fourth straight for Southern Arkansas (20-14, 14-8 GAC).
Harding jumped on Southern Arkansas early, tagging reigning GAC Pitcher of the Week Eli Hutcherson for three unearned runs in the first inning. Hutcherson, who threw a two-hit, complete-game shutout in his last outing, lasted only one inning as the Bisons utilized a two-out rally highlighted by RBI singles from Cooper Newsom, Phoenix West, and Jack Opoien.
Bowie proved to be the spark plug for the offense, finishing 4-for-5 with three runs scored. It was Bowie's first four-hit game of the season and the first time this year he has scored three runs in a single contest.
Logan Lacey provided the historical backdrop for the afternoon. By taking the field on Thursday, Lacey appeared in his 200th career game and made his 200th career start. He is just the fourth player in Harding history to reach 200 starts, joining Luke Van Dover (216), Coulton Doyle (207), and Connor Kelly (204).
Lacey also extended his on-base streak to 33 games with a second-inning single. When he scored later that inning, it was the 172nd run of his career, tying Chase Presley (2009-12) for the Harding school record.
On the mound, Kyle Lane (5-0) won his third straight start. Lane tossed a career-long 7 1/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs on nine hits while striking out six. It was the sixth time in nine starts this season that Lane has allowed three or fewer earned runs.
The Bisons added three more runs in the second and two in the fifth to build an 8-0 lead. SAU broke through for three runs in the sixth, using sacrifice flies from Jacob Lang and Luke Noack, but Austin Kelley entered in the eighth to provide 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief to seal the victory.
Opoien and Newsom each finished with two RBIs to lead the Bisons' run production.
Harding and Southern Arkansas conclude the three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader at Jerry Moore Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
