SEARCY, Ark. — Behind a career-best performance from senior right-hander Merritt Jay and a timely home run from Easton Jones, Harding defeated Southern Arkansas 3-1 in Friday's opener to clinch its first series victory over the Muleriders since 2020.
While Southern Arkansas (21-15, 15-9 GAC) took the series finale 8-0 to avoid the sweep, the Bisons (19-16, 14-10 GAC) earned their fourth series win over SAU since the inception of the Great American Conference in 2012.
Game 1: Harding 3, Southern Arkansas 1 Merritt Jay (4-2) turned in the signature performance of his tenure in Searcy to lead the Bisons to the series-clinching victory. Jay threw a career-high 8.0 innings, the longest outing of his career spanning 39 starts. He allowed just one run on five hits while striking out five.
The victory marked the 24th career win for Jay, moving him within one of Lucas Waddell (25, 2010-13) for second place on Harding's all-time career wins list. Austin Kelley worked a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season.
Trailing 1-0 in the first, Harding answered immediately when Cooper Newsom singled home Nathan Bowie. The Bisons took the lead for good in the third when Easton Jones doubled to left, scoring Bowie again. Jones provided the insurance in the eighth, launching his first home run of the season over the left-field wall.
Bowie, Logan Lacey, and Bo Solley each collected two hits as the Bisons out-hit the Muleriders 10-6.
Game 2: Southern Arkansas 8, Harding 0 In the seven-inning finale, SAU starter Nate June (4-1) silenced the Harding bats, throwing a complete-game four-hit shutout.
The Muleriders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run double by Tate Elliott and a wild pitch. They added two unearned runs in the fourth and capped the scoring with three runs in the seventh, including a two-run single by Luke Noack.
Lacey remained a bright spot for the Bisons, going 2-for-3 in the finale. Nathan Bowie and Phoenix West accounted for the other two Harding hits. Ryan Romolo (4-2) took the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) over four innings.
Up Next Harding returns to Jerry Moore Field this Tuesday for a non-conference matchup against Union (TN) with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.
Next weekend, the Bisons will host Oklahoma Baptist for a three-game GAC series on April 10-11. The weekend will serve as Alumni Weekend, highlighted by a special celebration of the 2011 national tournament team and the dedication of its indoor facility.
