WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Softball recovered from a 14-0 run-rule in Sunday's opening game by beating No. 17-ranked Harding 5-1 in the series finale to salvage a split of the day and earn the first win of the conference season.
The Bulldogs (6-7, 1-2 GAC) will no longer play the upcoming midweek matchup against Fort Hays State and will instead prepare for next weekend's road series (Feb. 28-March 1) against Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee.
Game One (5 inn.)
Harding 14, SWOSU 0
Grand slams in back-to-back innings to start the game by the Lady Bisons highlighted an offensive explosion from the visitors. They tallied 14 hits in the shortened game – eight of those for extra bases.
In the circle, Harding's Brooklyn Gobble went the distance and struck out nine Bulldogs for the shutout.
Four different hitters in SWOSU's lineup had a hit. None went for extra bases.
Game Two
SWOSU 5, Harding 1
Fresh off a beat down, the Bulldogs responded with early offense.
Jadyn Hook singled to leadoff the game and was eventually brought home by a
Kaylee Barkley double to left field.
Leading 1-0,
Sierra Woods then doubled to lead off the second inning to put SWOSU right back in business. A throwing error eventually allowed her to score, followed by an RBI double from Hook for a 3-0 lead.
With the lead,
Alexis Taylor (W, 5-2) kept throwing up scoreless innings in the circle. She held Harding to no runs until she was finally relieved in the sixth inning. Taylor struck out four, walked one, and scattered three hits.
Jaycee McKee picked up the final six outs of the game in relief. She inherited a runner on second base in the sixth inning and got out of the inning unscathed. Harding finally broke the shutout with back-to-back doubles in the seventh.
Hook (2-3) had two of SWOSU's six hits. It was Boline's first home run of the season.
