Tech makes winner’s bracket final

Arkansas Tech University advanced to the winner’s bracket final of the Great American Conference softball championships for the first time in program history as the Golden Suns defeated Harding University 9-2 on Friday at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville.

The Golden Suns (41-17) will face Southern Nazarene at 11 a.m.. The Crimson Storm advanced after knocking off top-seeded Southern Arkansas University 5-4.

Arkansas Tech scored in each of the first three innings to build a 6-1 advantage. Makenzie Addis delivered a two-run home run in the second inning, and one inning later, five consecutive Golden Suns reached base, leading to three runs. Sarah Coronado and Addis worked bases-loaded walks sandwiched around a single by Sydnie Henson.

In the seventh, Megan Goodnight capped a 4-for-4 performance with a two-run home run, and Bailey Bunch recorded her third hit of the game, a run-scoring triple.

The offensive outburst provided more than enough support for Tech starter Kristen Dempsey. She limited Harding (31-25) to a run on two hits over four innings of work. Bailey Shaffer entered in the fifth inning and allowed one run on four hits to earn her third save of the season.

Madi Trump drove in both of the Lady Bisons’ runs as part of a 2-for-4 day.

Freshman Brooke Stutz’s two-run, pinch-hit single keyed Southern Nazarene’s victory.

The reserve freshman, hitting .211, picked up just the ninth hit of her career as Southern Nazarene (26-26-1) rallied for four runs in the fifth inning.

The Crimson Storm took advantage of a one-out error by the Lady Muleriders’ (50-8) defense to tie the game at 3-3. One out later, Kriston Shumaker knocked in Kaley Knox as they retook the lead.

Home runs by Sarah Pitre and Brooke Goad in the sixth and seventh innings allowed Southern Arkansas to narrow the margin.