HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — A resilient ninth-inning rally by the Harding Bisons came up two runs short Friday night as Arkansas Tech held on for a 6-4 victory in the winner's bracket of the Great American Conference Baseball Tournament at Babe Ruth Park.
Harding (30-19) now moves to an elimination game on Saturday, while Arkansas Tech (32-20) advances directly to the bracket championship.
Jay Battles Through Eight
Bison starter Merritt Jay (5-3) turned in a gutsy performance, striking out 10 batters over eight innings of work. Despite the high strikeout total, the Wonder Boys managed to capitalize on timely extra-base hits. Tyler Sardelli led the Tech attack with a solo home run in the fourth, part of a two-run frame that gave the Wonder Boys a 3-1 lead.
Jay entered the eighth trailing by only one run, but a hit batter and an error opened the door for a three-run Tech surge. Brendyn Bard provided the knockout blow with a two-out, two-RBI single that pushed the lead to 6-2.
Defensive Highlights
The game featured spectacular defense from both sides. In the sixth inning, Harding center fielder Easton Jones preserved a one-run deficit by leaping at the wall to rob Kirby Jenkins of a certain home run. Arkansas Tech shortstop Cole Dawson answered in the seventh, leaping to snag a "rocket" off the bat of Nathan Bowie that likely would have tied the game.
The Comeback Effort
Trailing 6-2 in the ninth, the Bisons refused to go quietly against Tech closer Eric Woodley. Phoenix West led off with a walk and moved to second on a single by Jack Opoien. After Bo Solley walked to load the bases, Bowie lifted a sacrifice fly to left to cut the lead to 6-3.
With two outs, Logan Lacey hit a bloop pop-up into short center field that eluded Dawson's glove, allowing pinch-runner Cooper Schutte to score and bringing the tying run to the plate. However, Woodley induced a flyout to end the threat and secure his 11th save of the season.
Statistical Leaders
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Harding: Phoenix West reached base three times (1-for-2, 2 BB) and scored twice. Collin Helms and Bo Solley each tallied an RBI.
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Arkansas Tech: Daniel Hutchison (9-5) earned the win, allowing just one earned run over seven innings. Tyler Sardelli went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a home run.
Up Next
Harding falls to the elimination bracket and will face Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The winner of that contest will have to defeat Arkansas Tech twice to advance to the GAC Championship Series.
