18 Jun 2025 Harding Baseball achieves historic national ranking

SEARCY — The Harding University baseball team capped off a remarkable season by earning the No. 30 spot in the final American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) poll, marking only the second time in program history the Bisons have appeared in the final national rankings. The previous instance was in 2011 when they finished at No. 24.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Dr. Patrick McGaha, the Bisons reached their third NCAA regional tournament and second straight.

The team finished the season with an impressive overall record of 41-19, including a 21-12 mark in the Great American Conference (GAC). The Bisons also captured their first GAC Tournament championship.

Several players stood out with exceptional individual performances that contributed significantly to the team’s success. All-Region honoree Logan Lacey set the Harding record with 19 home runs, among his 33 extra-base hits. Lacey hit .338 and was joined by Kade Smith (.343), Nathan Bowie (.338) and Collin Helms (.322) among Harding players with batting averages over .300. Consensus All-American, Region Pitcher of the Year and GAC Pitcher of the Year Maddox Long went 11-3 with a 2.16 ERA and an NCAA II-leading 122 strikeouts.

As a team, Harding ranked 10th in Division II with a .975 fielding percentage, 15th with a 2.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 18th with a school-record 76 home runs.