SEARCY, Ark. – Senior right-hander Kyle Lane moved to 8-0 on the season and Logan Lacey etched his name into the record books as Harding defeated Arkansas Tech 4-3 on Thursday evening at Jerry Moore Field.

The win extends Harding's winning streak to 10 games overall and marks their eighth consecutive victory in Great American Conference play. With the win, Harding (29-16, 21-10 GAC) has pulled into a tie with Arkansas Tech (28-20, 21-10 GAC) for second place in the conference standings with two games remaining in the regular season.

NATIONAL DOMINANCE

With the victory, Kyle Lane remains one of the most dominant arms in the country. He is now one of only 12 pitchers in NCAA Division II to have recorded eight or more wins this season without suffering a loss. Lane's efficiency was on full display Thursday, as he scattered six hits over 7.0 innings while allowing just one run to lower his season ERA to 4.91 and secure his conference-leading eighth win.

THE RECORD BREAKER

With a first-inning single to shortstop, senior third baseman Logan Lacey reached base for the 45th consecutive game. The achievement breaks the all-time Harding school record for consecutive games reaching base. Lacey, who finished the day 1-for-4, is now just two total bases away from the 400-milestone for his career.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Arkansas Tech jumped out to an early lead in the first inning when Tyler Sardelli grounded out to score Derek Rockett. However, the Bisons answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame. After Lacey's record-breaking single, Cooper Newsom blasted a two-run home run to left field—his ninth of the year—to give Harding a 2-1 lead.

Newsom's two RBIs brought his season total to 65, officially breaking the Harding single-season record of 64 set by Adam Darby in 2009.

Harding added crucial insurance in the seventh inning. Jack Opoien provided the highlight of the frame with a towering solo home run to left-center. The Bisons added another run when Phoenix West scored on a wild pitch, pushing the lead to 4-1.

The Wonder Boys made it interesting in the ninth against Harding closer Austin Kelley. Brendyn Bard delivered a two-out, two-run double to cut the lead to one, but Kelley induced a lineout to Opoien at first base to strand the tying run at third and secure his fifth save of the season.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Kyle Lane (W, 8-0): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.

• Cooper Newsom: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI. Now holds the HU single-season RBI record (65).

• Jack Opoien: 1-for-3, HR (3).

• Home Defense: Harding improves to 17-3 at Jerry Moore Field this season.

UP NEXT

The Bisons and Wonder Boys will conclude the series and the regular season on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Harding will honor its senior class with a special Senior Day ceremony beginning at approximately 12:40 p.m. prior to the first pitch.

The winner of the Saturday series will claim the No. 2 seed in the upcoming GAC Tournament.