SEARCY, Ark. – Despite a career-long efficiency on the mound from Merritt Jay and several other milestone marks reached, Harding baseball dropped each ends of a regular-season ending doubleheader to Arkansas Tech on Senior Day Saturday at Jerry Moore Field. The Wonder Boys took the opener 5-4 earlier than claiming the nightcap 5-1.
Harding concludes the common season with a 29-18 total document and a 21-12 mark in Great American Conference play. The outcomes finalize the convention standings, with the Bisons getting into the postseason as the No. 3 seed.
NEXT UP
The Bisons head to Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for the GAC Tournament. Harding will open postseason play as the No. 3 seed in opposition to the No. 6 seed on Thursday, April 30, at 8 p.m. Harding’s opponent shall be introduced when the official match bracket is launched by the convention.
GAME 1: Arkansas Tech 5, Harding 4
Senior right-hander Merritt Jay was dominant for a lot of the afternoon, carrying a lead into the ninth inning whereas scattering simply 4 hits. Jay completed with 8.1 innings pitched, placing out six and permitting three runs.
The Bisons jumped out early when Easton Jones launched his fourth residence run of the season—a solo shot to left subject—within the first inning. Harding added an unearned run within the second when Ryder Rutledge singled residence Jack Opoien.
In the sixth, Nathan Bowie and Logan Lacey began a rally with back-to-back singles. Jones adopted with an RBI single to rating Bowie, and Collin Helms capped the inning with a base hit to right-center, extending the Harding lead to 4-1.
However, the Wonder Boys rallied within the prime of the ninth, utilizing three hits and two walks to plate three runs and take their first lead of the sport. Harding was unable to reply within the backside half.
GAME 2: Arkansas Tech 5, Harding 1
In the seven-inning collection finale, the Bisons struggled to discover the well timed hit, leaving eight runners on base regardless of recording 9 hits.
Arkansas Tech took a 2-0 lead within the second, however Harding answered rapidly within the backside half. Phoenix West walked and moved to third on an Opoien single earlier than Rutledge drove him in with a base hit via the left facet.
The Wonder Boys added two extra within the fourth and an insurance coverage run within the sixth. Harding’s greatest likelihood to shut the hole got here within the closing body when Jensen Presley was hit by a pitch and Lacey singled to convey the tying run to the on-deck circle, however a flyout ended the menace.
Ryan Romolo (6-3) suffered the loss, whereas Keaton Baird and Josiah Binford offered 3.2 innings of strong aid, permitting only one unearned run.
BISON NOTES
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The Streak Continues: With a single in each video games, Logan Lacey prolonged his school-record reached-base streak to 47 video games. He has reached base in each recreation this season.
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Milestone for Jones: Easton Jones hit his twentieth double of the season in Game 2.
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Home Defense: Harding finishes the 2026 residence slate with a 17-5 document at Jerry Moore Field.