09 Apr 2025 Softball drops doubleheader at Southern Arkansas
MAGNOLIA, Ark. — The 10th-ranked Harding softball team fell in both games of the Great American Conference doubleheader Monday at 17th-ranked Southern Arkansas. The Lady Bisons fell 2-0 and 4-0.
Harding falls to 33-8 overall and 17-6 in the GAC.
Southern Arkansas improves to 32-5 overall and 22-1 in the GAC.
GAME ONE – Southern Arkansas 2, Harding 0
Two RBIs by Savannah Clausen propelled No. 17 Southern Arkansas to a 2-0 victory over No. 10 Harding in the opening game of the doubleheader Monday.
The Muleriders scored in the opening frame. After Jocelyn Ulrich singled and advanced to third, Clausen delivered a sacrifice fly, giving Southern Arkansas a 1-0 lead.
Southern Arkansas added to their lead in the third inning when Clausen launched a solo home run to right-center.
Harding struggled to generate offense, managing only five hits against Muleriders’ pitcher Kassie Rhodes (6-1). Zoey Neal provided two of those hits, while Macy Ham, Emma Curry, and Jadyn Booth each had a hit. Booth also showcased her speed by stealing second and third base in the third inning, but Harding failed to capitalize.
Riley Price (10-5) pitched a complete game for Harding, allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out three.
Southern Arkansas threatened to add to their lead in the fifth and sixth innings, putting runners in scoring position, but Price held them scoreless. The Muleriders’ Ulrich finished the game with three singles.
The Lady Bisons left four runners on base, while Southern Arkansas stranded eight.
GAME TWO – Southern Arkansas 4, Harding 0
Southern Arkansas capitalized on early opportunities to defeat Harding 4-0 in game two.
The Muleriders scored two in second inning. Kelsie Adams sparked the rally with a single, followed by Sophia Stoddard’s single and a bunt single by Jenna Huey, loading the bases. Payton Owens drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the first run, and Regan Dillon added a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead.
Southern Arkansas added two more runs in the third, aided by a Harding error. America Rubio singled, and Adams reached on an error, scoring Rubio. Stoddard then singled, and Owens drove in another run with a single to right field.
Brinson Rogers (22-2) pitched a complete-game shutout. She struck out six and allowed just two hits
Harding struggled to generate any momentum. Emaline Pearson and Alexis Boswell recorded the only hits for the Lady Bisons. Booker (9-1) took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, on nine hits in 3.2 innings. Brooklyn Gobble pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief. She had three strikeouts.
