Written by Katie Swann
The Harding baseball team has set its best record of all time at 36-10 overall, securing it a spot in the Gulf South Conference Tournament, and 13-5 in conference with its victory over Delta State on April 23, 2011.
As of the April 22-23 games, Harding is ranked 19th in the NCAA Division II and are in a three-way tie for first in the Gulf South Conference West Division along with Delta State and Arkansas Tech University. Harding is bound for the GSC Tournament on May 6 in Millington, Tenn.
Though they lost the first two games in the series against Delta State last weekend, the Bisons refused to give up their progress. They came back in the third game in the bottom of the ninth with Delta State leading 10-9. With bases loaded and Delta State prepared to run a double play, freshman Matt Calhoun, starting for the first time in almost six weeks in place of injured sophomore Billy Ninemire, managed to hit a curve ball between the outfielders in right field, bringing home senior Jason Nappi and sophomore Erin McCarver with the game-winning run.
“I just tried to stay with the curve ball.” Calhoun said. “It was a very exciting moment to be in.”
Head coach Patrick McGaha said he is thrilled for his team and is now looking forward to the championship.
“Hopefully we’ll go out there and play well and give ourselves a chance to win thechampionship,”McGaha said.
Both coaches and players attribute much of their success to outstanding team effort. Sophomore starting pitcher Lucas Waddell said he noticed the hard work his team has put into the season.
“The whole team is working hard, harder than anyteam I’ve played on before; everyone is being completely unselfish,” Waddell said. “I am very happy with how the team is doing and how many guys have stepped up.”
This season has seen some broken records as well. Senior Donny Stephens set the record for most combinedshutouts at three, sophomore Ryan Modglin set the record for lowest opponent batting average at .160, and, over the weekend, junior Chase Pre- sley broke the single-season record for most doubles at 21, previously held by team-mate sophomore Anthony Guglielmi at 19.
The Harding Bisons will host their last home game of the season against Ouachita Baptist Tuesday, April 26, at 3 p.m. Their final series against Arkansas Tech in Russellville this weekend is the last game before the GSC Tournament.
