No. 10 Harding bounces back to win two at HSU

ARKADELPHIA — One day after sweeping a double-header from 10th-ranked Harding, Henderson State lost two games to the Lady Bisons, 10-8 and 5-4, Saturday at Dee White Field.

Harding (11-3, 6-2 Great American Conference), immediately set the tone for the day scoring a pair of runs on four hits in the first inning to take a

2-0 lead in game one.

The Reddies (13-6 and 5-3) answered with a single run in the bottom half of the inning as Madie Green hit a solo home to left field to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Lady Bisons increased their lead to 5-1 in the second inning with Henderson countering with a single run in the bottom half of the frame with the help of back-to-back doubles by Christianna Camp and Kailey Reese.

Harding built an 8-2 lead before Henderson scored two runs in the fourth as Sam Smith collected her first collegiate hit, a two-run home run, that scored Reese who singled to lead off the inning.

The Reddies made the score

8-6 in the sixth inning on running-scoring singles by Olivia Trapp and Selena Mendoza. Henderson would go on to load the bases, but the Lady Bisons were able to get the final two outs with a force out at home and a strike out.

Harding responded with two runs in the top of the seventh extending the lead to 10-6, but, again, the Reddies mounted a threat in the bottom half of the inning.

Camp began the inning reaching on a free pass, with Reese belting a double to left field. Camp scored on a sacrifice fly by Smith for the first run of the inning. Reese scored with two outs as Bethany Allen singled to right field to right field.

Green extended the inning with a single to short that brought the potential winning run to the plate. Mendoza laced a hard ground ball to second, but Madi Trump was able to come up with the play and end the game.

Henderson totaled 12 hits in the game with Reese leading the way, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Green was 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and RBI, while Smith had three runs batted in along with her home run.

In the finale of the series, Harding took a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, but Henderson would fight back.

The Reddies began their half of the fourth with Smith lacing a double-to left-center field. With one out Camp singled to center field allowing Smith to move to third-base. Smith scored when Reese grounded out to second to make the score 5-1.

Henderson added two more runs in the sixth inning when Ashleigh Erb began the frame with a single, followed by a double by Camp allowing Erb to score. Camp advanced to third on the play as Harding attempted to throw Erb out at the plate. Again Reese grounded out to second allowing Camp to score to cut the Reddie deficit to 5-3.

In the seventh, Henderson would again put pressure on Harding pitcher Amanda Berry as Bethany Allen belted a double to left-center field to lead-off the inning followed by Green reaching on a walk. Both runners then advanced on a well-executed bunt by Selena Mendoza.

With the tying run at second, Smith stepped to the plate and grounded out to second, but Allen was able to score and Green advanced to third.

Erb came to bat with two outs, but was unable to deliver as she grounded to second base with Trump making a back-handed play to rob Erb of a hit and end the game.

Allen, Green and Camp had two hits to lead the Reddies with Allen and Camp both having doubles.

Green finished the fourgame series going 6-for-12 with two home runs and three RBI, while Reese was also 6-for-12 with two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored.

Henderson will next travel to Russellville to take on Arkansas Tech for a four-game GAC series beginning Friday at 3 p.m.