SEARCY, Ark. – SWOSU Softball dropped the series finale to Harding, 8-3, on Friday as the Lady Bisons completed the three-game sweep to open conference play.
 
Harding struck early and often, scoring in each of its first six at-bats. The Lady Bisons pushed across single runs in the first three innings before extending the margin with a two-run fourth and a three-run fifth to create separation.
 
SWOSU broke through in the third inning when Sierra Woods delivered an RBI single. The Bulldogs showed life again in their final at-bat, stringing together four consecutive two-out hits to plate two more runs before the rally ran out of outs. Riley Lusk drove in both seventh-inning runs with a single.
 
Woods finished 2-for-3 at the plate, while Lusk went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Alexis Taylor (L) worked 2.0 innings and pitched into the third before being relieved.
 
The Bulldogs now return home for the first time this season after opening the year with 16 straight road games. SWOSU will host Oklahoma Baptist in its home opener Friday and Saturday in Weatherford.