The Harding Bisons opened up the season with a doubleheader sweep of the Maryville University Saints at Jerry Moore Field on Feb. 9. Harding displayed a strong start with a 6-3 win in the first game and a blowout, 20-2, in the second game.
During the first game, the Bisons let Maryville tie it up at three runs apiece. Matt Calhoun, a junior first baseman, responded with a three-run double in the bottom of the fifth that led the team to victory.
According to Patrick McGaha, head Bison baseball coach, he was glad the team had to work through some adversity to pull out the win.
After a challenging end to the 2012 season, the Bisons are looking to the upperclassmen for guidance. With six returning starters, Harding is not lacking in experience on the field.
Calhoun said the seniors have gained the respect of the team from the experiences they have faced throughout their careers.
“When you have eight or 10 guys who have been in the program and have seen the right way to do things then they in turn will teach that to the younger guys and model that for them,” McGaha said.
The Great American Conference preseason poll predicted Harding to finish at No. 6 in the 2013 season. Junior outfielder Shane Kinnear said the players are not letting this projection affect their mindset.
“We can’t let our focus be on things outside of our control,” Kinnear said.
McGaha said one of the main focuses for the team this year is to come to the field every day ready to improve. Whether it is in practice or a game, he said the Bisons are looking to give glory to God in all that they do.
Senior shortstop Gabe Fyock said they are preparing for whatever comes at them this season.
“No matter what we go through or what gets thrown at us, we react and handle it together,” Fyock said.
According to McGaha, the team has worked through the fall semester to better themselves personally and as a group. The coaches challenged the players to put in the extra work in the fall, so that they could have a successful spring season. When it comes to goals for the season Harding takes a different route.
While most teams talk about objectives for the games ahead, McGaha said the Bisons work on a day-to-day basis. They leave the field and come back ready to become better than they were the previous day.
“We really don’t set team goals,” McGaha said. “Obviously, we want to play as hard as we can and represent the university in a positive way. If we play hard, don’t back down from anyone and rise to the occasion then good things will happen for us.”
Tomorrow, the Bisons play their third and fourth game at home against the Missouri University of Science and Technology Miners. The doubleheader is scheduled to start at noon. Then, the two teams will play again on Sunday, Feb. 17 beginning at 1 p.m.
