The Bison baseball team is heading into the home stretch for the 2013 season. On Tuesday, April 23 the Bisons fell 6-1 to Southern Arkansas University in a non-conference game at home. Patrick McGaha, head coach for the Bisons, said it was a tough loss for the team.
“Unfortunately our bullpen just could not hold the lead for us,” McGaha said. “Southern Arkansas is ranked 13th in the country and they are a very good team. It is always a touch battle when we play them.”
Billy Ninemire, senior third baseman, lengthened his hitting streak to 15 games breaking the school record during Tuesday’s game. Ninemire broke the record during his first at-bat against Southern Arkansas University. Ninemire said he was surprised he broke a record.
“Honestly I had no idea that was even a record that anyone was keeping up with,” Ninemire said.
McGaha said normally it is superstitious to talk about things like hit streaks in baseball, but he is excited for Ninemire and his achievement.
“He is very deserving of getting something like that because he works really hard,” McGaha said. “He is a very good hitter. That speaks about the kind of hitter that he is. To be able to string together that many hits is difficult.”
Freshman pitcher Collin Campbellhad an impressive day onthe mound forthe Bisons.
He allowed only three hits, one walk and struck out three hitters. Due to games last weekend, Campbell pitched five scoreless innings before reaching his pitch count.
“I knew coming into the game that it was our seniors’ last time to ever play a home game,” Campbell said. “I just tried to do my job and throw some strikes to give our team a chance to win. I wanted it to be a memorable game for the seniors.”
The Bisons are now focused on this weekend’s Great American Conference series against Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark. Harding is in sixth place heading into the series and the top six teams move on to the GAC tournament.
McGaha said a sweep would guarantee the Bisons a spot in the conference tournament. Two wins would give the Bisons a berth in most scenarios.
“The whole season comes down to this,” McGaha said. “You control your own destiny.”
With just three games left, the deciding factor for the Bisons will be how they can play this weekend. Campbell is confident that his team can pull through and show Arkansas Tech University what Bison baseball is capable of.
“I have faith in all our guys and coaches that we can do this,” Campbell said. “We’ve just got to do our part and compete and let God take care of the rest.”
The Bisons take on Arkansas Tech University today, April 26, at 7 p.m. in Russellville, Ark. Tomorrow the doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. with the second game secondat 4 p.m.
