MEMPHIS-Harding swept a season-opening doubleheader from the Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs Saturday afternoon at Bland Field, winning the opener 9-2 and the nightcap 12-0.
GAME 1:WHAT HAPPENED:Harding exploded for six unearned runs in the fifth inning to take control of what had been a tie game, winning 9-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• The Lady Bucs (0-2) struck first in the bottom of the second inning.
Blake Andres (Arlington, Tenn./Briarcrest HS) drew a walk and moved to third on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch, scoring on a
Maddi Welch (Munford, Tenn./Munford HS) sacrifice fly.
• Harding (2-0) tied the game in the fourth with a run on two singles and a double.
• The Lady Bisons blew it open with six unearned runs in the fifth inning, taking advantage of two errors as well as three singles, a double and a triple.
• Harding added two more in the sixth on three singles, a walk and a sacrifice fly.
• CBU set the final margin with a run in the bottom of the sixth.
Jenna Cotter (Collierville, Tenn./Houston HS) led off with a pinch-hit single, and pinch-runner
Alexis Seward (Chino, Calif./Chino HS) scored on a two-out
Olivia Parsels (Germantown, Tenn./St. Benedict HS) double to center.
KEY STATS:•
Amber Johnson (Somerville, Tenn./Fayette Academy) went 3-for-4 in her CBU debut.
•
Gabrielle Sereika (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas Institute) was 2-for-4.
• Parsels went 2-for-3 with one RBI and a double.
GAME 2:WHAT HAPPENED:The Lady Bisons scored 11 runs in the first two innings as they took control early en route to a 12-0 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• Harding struck first with four runs in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of two singles, a walk and a three-run Amanda Berdon homer.
• The Lady Bisons added seven more in the second inning on five singles, two doubles and a Kimmy Hendricks grand slam.
• Harding struck again in the third inning on a two-out solo homer by Taylor Friend.
KEY STATS:•
Holly Oyhenart (Menifee, Calif./Paloma Valley HS) went 1-for-2.
• Welch was 1-for-2.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Lady Bucs hit the road next weekend as they visit Evangel Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader and Drury Sunday for a noon twinbill. They return home Tuesday, Feb. 9, to host Missouri-St. Louis at noon for a doubleheader.
