ALVA, Okla. – Brooklyn Gobble struck out 10 and Ella Friederich drove in both runs as Harding softball opened its series at Northwestern Oklahoma with a 2-1 victory on Friday night.
Gobble (17-13) was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game three-hitter. She held the Rangers scoreless through the first six innings, at one point retiring 11 consecutive batters between the first and fifth innings.
Friederich provided the offensive spark for the Lady Bisons (25-22, 20-11 GAC), breaking a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth with a solo home run to center field. It was her fifth home run of the season.
Harding added what proved to be a crucial insurance run in the sixth. Bailey Robinson led off the inning with a single to right and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Logan Ringel and a flyout. Friederich then delivered again, lining an RBI single to left-center to push the lead to 2-0.
Northwestern Oklahoma (15-36) mounted a late rally in the bottom of the seventh. Savannah Duran reached on a one-out single and eventually scored on a two-out RBI double by Gabrielle Sanchez to cut the deficit to one. However, Gobble ended the threat by striking out Taygan Graham looking to seal the win.
Bailey Willis joined Friederich with a multi-hit game, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate. The Lady Bisons outhit the Rangers 6-3 and did not commit an error in the contest.
Madelyn Cason (4-6) took the loss for the Rangers, allowing two runs on six hits over seven innings.
The two teams will conclude their three-game Great American Conference series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at noon.
