SEARCY, Ark. – SWOSU Softball opened Great American Conference play with a pair of losses on Thursday, falling to Harding 10-1 and 2-0 in a road doubleheader.
 
The Bulldogs will look to avoid the sweep and salvage the series Friday in the finale. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
Game One (6 inn.)
Harding 10, SWOSU 1
 
Harding pitcher Avery Booker tossed a one-hitter in the opener, limiting SWOSU to a lone first-inning single from Sierra Woods before retiring the Bulldogs hitless the rest of the way.
 
The Lady Bisons jumped out early, using a two-RBI double and a two-run home run in back-to-back at-bats to take a 4-0 lead after the first inning. Harding added single runs in the third and fifth before plating four more in the sixth to end the game via the run rule.
 
Lily Barfield (L, 1-3) started in the circle for SWOSU and worked 2.1 innings before Jaycee McKee finished the game in relief.
 
Game Two
Harding 2, SWOSU 0
 
The nightcap was a tighter contest, as SWOSU outhit Harding 6-4 but left eight runners stranded on base.
 
Harding scored both runs early, taking advantage of a solo home run in the first inning before manufacturing another run in the second. Alexis Taylor settled in from there, holding the Lady Bisons scoreless the rest of the way.
 
SWOSU had chances throughout the game, leaving runners on base in five of the seven innings, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the fifth.
 
Emily Wedel led the Bulldogs at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 performance. Skyla McPhillips doubled and went 1-for-3.
 
Taylor (L, 1-5) threw a complete game, striking out three without issuing a walk.