Harding falls 9-8 to Ouachita Baptist in Series Opener

SEARCY, Ark. —The Harding Bisons took a two-run lead into the ninth inning, but could not hold on and fell 9-8 to Ouachita Friday at Jerry Moore Field in the first of three Great American Conference games at Jerry Moore Field. The teams continue the series with a noon doubleheader Saturday.

Harding (10-4, 4-3) led 7-2 after seven innings, but Ouachita (9-6, 6-1) scored seven runs in the eighth and ninth innings against four Bison relievers. Harding’s Drew McNeel was on third with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and was tagged out at home trying to score on a potential wild pitch to end the game.

Sophomore Davis Welch (0-1) came out of the bullpen for Harding and took the loss. Senior Carter McCall started and pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on eight hits with four walks and five strikeouts.

Offensively, senior David Butterfield went 2-for-3 on the day with a double, a home run, two walks and three RBIs. Junior Michael Dewald was 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and two RBIs, and junior Coulton Doyle had three hits in five trips to the plate with two doubles and two RBIs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bisons got the scoring started early, putting two runs on the board in the bottom the first inning. Harding put up five runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Doyle and a two-run double from Dewald.

Butterfield’s two-run homer in the fifth brought the Bisons lead to 7-1.

Ouachita Baptist narrowed Harding’s lead to 7-6 before the Bisons stretched the advantage to 8-6 in the eighth inning. The Bisons recorded a run on Butterfield’s two-out RBI double.

Ouachita scored four in the eighth and took the lead with three more in the ninth.

GAME NOTES

» The Bisons got three-hit games from both Doyle and Dewald.

» Harding had three players put together games with multiple extra-base hits.

» The Bisons out-hit the Tigers at a 14-13 clip.

» Harding pitchers faced 48 Ouachita Baptist hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out six.

» The Bisons drew five walks from Ouachita Baptist pitching.

» Ouachita Baptist was led offensively by freshman G. Allen, who went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

» Junior Caleb Donoho led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing two scoreless innings. Garret Hermes (1-1) got the win in relief, and Beau Burson pitched the ninth for the save.