ADA, Okla. – In a day outlined by razor-thin margins, the Harding baseball staff suffered two grueling 7-6 losses to East Central on Saturday at Ken Turner Field. Both contests noticed the Bisons lead late, just for the Tigers to rally for walk-off or go-ahead runs in the ultimate frames.
Game 1: East Central 7, Harding 6 (9 innings)
The Bisons out-hit the Tigers 15-8, however East Central made their hits depend when it mattered most. Harding entered the underside of the ninth inning with a 6-4 lead following a two-run surge in the highest of the body, highlighted by RBI singles from Easton Jones and Johnathan Jackson.
However, the Tigers (8-15, 6-9 GAC) staged a dramatic comeback in the underside of the ninth. After two batters have been hit by pitches and a stroll loaded the bases, Joey Allen delivered the decisive blow—a bases-clearing double to proper area that scored three runs and gave ECU the walk-off victory.
Collin Helms led the Harding offense in the opener, going 3-for-6 with a triple and a double. Merritt Jay offered a stable begin, placing out six over 5 innings, however the Bisons’ bullpen could not maintain the lead in the ninth.
Game 2: East Central 7, Harding 6 (7 innings)
The nightcap adopted an eerily related script. Harding (13-10, 9-6 GAC) erased an early deficit to take a 5-3 lead in the fifth inning, sparked by a two-run single from Easton Jones and an RBI base knock by Dom Davis.
The Tigers responded with a run in the fifth and a three-run explosion in the sixth. Pinch-hitter Trace Necess offered the most important spark for ECU, hitting a two-out, two-run residence run to left-center that put the Tigers forward 7-5.
The Bisons did not go quietly in their last at-bat. In the highest of the seventh, Harding loaded the bases and pulled inside one when Collin Helms drew a bases-loaded stroll to make it 7-6. With the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring place, ECU reliever Zane Wilson managed to induce a groundout from Phoenix West to finish the risk and safe the sweep for the Tigers.
Series Notes
Despite the 2 losses on Saturday, Harding took the sequence opener on Friday, ending the weekend 1-2. Easton Jones was a constant pressure all through the doubleheader, tallying 4 hits and 4 RBIs throughout the 2 video games. The Bisons’ self-discipline remained an element as they drew 12 complete walks on the day, however they left 24 runners on base throughout the 2 video games.
Harding’s subsequent motion is a Tuesday impartial web site recreation in opposition to Trevecca Nazarene at USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee. First pitch is at 3 p.m.