13 Mar 2024 Softball sweeps GAC Doubleheader at Arkansas Tech

RUSSELLVILLE — The Harding softball team swept Arkansas Tech Tuesday in a Great American Conference doubleheader. The Lady Bisons held off the Golden Suns in game one 6-4 and Abby Burch threw a two-hit shutout as Harding won the second game 2-0.

The Lady Bisons have now won seven straight games.

Harding improves to 15-9 overall and 7-4 in the GAC.

Arkansas Tech falls to 13-10 overall and 5-6 in the GAC.

GAME ONE (Harding 6, Arkansas Tech 4)

Riley Price went five innings and got the win. She gave up four earned runs and struck out three. Abby Burch came out of the pen and pitched two shutout innings to pick up her second save of the season.

Emma Curry and Chelsea Blankenship each went 2-for-4 with two RBI’s. Kaya Lee also had two hits in the game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Harding got on the board in the top of the first scoring three runs on two hits. Emma Curry had an RBI single to get the scoring started. Chelsea Blankenship highlighted the inning with a two-run homer to left. It was her first of the season.

In the bottom of the second, Arkansas Tech answered back with two runs on one hit.

The Lady Bisons made it 5-2 in the second on RBI singles by Madison Fraley and Jordan Cabana.

The Golden Suns battled back to within a run, 5-4 scoring a run in the fourth and a run in the fifth.

Harding added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single by Emma Curry.

GAME NOTES

– Harding outhit Arkansas Tech 9-8.

– Harding had four stolen bases all by different players.

– Each team left six runners on base.

– Bradi Basler started and received the loss for Arkansas Tech. She went 1 1/3 innings gave up five earned runs and walked two.

GAME TWO (Harding 2, Arkansas Tech 0)

Abby Burch threw her first career complete game shutout as she held Arkansas Tech to only two hits. She had three walks and struck out four.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After three scoreless innings and runners at second and third, Jordan Cabana hit a deep fly ball to left center that was caught but it allowed both runners to tag and score.

GAME NOTES

– Harding outhit Arkansas Tech 3-2.

– The Lady Bisons had hits by Macy Ham, Chelsea Blankenship and Tedi Nunn.

– Alexis Findley started and went the distance for Arkansas Tech. She gave up two earned runs and struck out four.

NEXT UP

Harding will be back at home this weekend as it hosts Southwestern Oklahoma Friday and Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m.