BETHANY, Okla. – The 17th-ranked Harding softball team completed the Great American Conference series sweep over Southern Nazarene Sunday. The Lady Bisons came from behind to win 6-3. Harding won both games of the doubleheader Saturday.
Abby Burch entered the game in the seventh inning and picked up 19th save of the season which broke the NCAA Division II single-season record. The previous record was held by Alex Lewis from Alabama-Huntsville who had 18 saves during the 2009 season.
Harding improves to 43-11 overall and 26-7 in the GAC. With the win Sunday, Harding will be the No. 2 seed in the upcoming GAC Tournament held May 4-6 in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Lady Bisons will play No. 7 seed East Central at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 4 at the Tiger Athletic Complex.
Southern Nazarene falls to 24-27 overall and 13-19 in the GAC.
Riley Price (19-4) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Harding. The right-hander threw four shutout innings while giving up three hits, allowing two walks and striking out one.
Hanna Jones led the way offensively for the Lady Bisons, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Emma Curry put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Jordan Cabana also chipped in, going 2-for-3 for Harding with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 3-0 in the fourth, Harding took the lead scoring four runs on four hits and three Southern Nazarene errors. Emma Curry, Nicole Shano and Jordan Cabana all singled in a run in the inning.
Harding made it 6-3 in the seventh when Hanna Jones hit a two-run home run to center field. It was her fourth home run of the season.
GAME NOTES
» The Lady Bisons out-hit the Crimson Storm at a 10-8 clip.
» Harding went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
» Harding pitchers faced 31 Southern Nazarene hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out two.
» Southern Nazarene was led offensively by Hailey Evans, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
» Maddie Southerland received the loss for Southern Nazarene and falls to 5-5 on the season.