Harding’s Lady Bison softball team is approaching the last half of their season after Spring Break tournaments.
The Lady Bisons made a comeback during their games against the University of Arkansas at Monticello on March 21 and 22 at home. The team won their double-header Friday, March 21, defeating their opponent UAM 4-1 and 3-2. They continued their tournament Saturday, March 22, winning the first game 4-3 before they were defeated in the final game 7-1.
“We never settle, and as a team we expect more out of ourselves than anyone else does,” sophomore utility player Emily Jones said. “We are committed, and we’ll see how far that takes us.”
While most of the Harding students were on break, the Lady Bisons continued to play, going 3-1 during the break. Their first tournament was March 8 and 9 at home against East Central University. The Lady Bisons won their games Friday, March 8, 4-1 and 8-2. Saturday, March 9 started off with a loss of 12-2, but they finished the day with a win, beating their opponent 8-6.
Jones said the thing they need to focus on in their upcoming games is to start playing without fear and not letting fear get in the way and cause them to fail.
The Lady Bisons were not given much of a break before their next tournament, Tuesday, March 11, which was also played at home against Delta State University. Their tournament ended in a tie. Delta State University won the first game 7-5, but the Lady Bisons came back to defeat DSU 3-2 in game two of the double-header.
“We played phenomenally in our series against East Central University,” junior outfielder Carolyn Clayton said. “We really played and fought together like we all know we can. Southern Arkansas University was a rough series for us, we were faced with some situations we weren’t used to.”
The Lady Bisons played their final tournament of Spring Break on March 14 and 15 against Southern Arkansas University on the road in Magnolia, Ark. The girls fell in their first two games on Friday, March 14, 4-1 and 10-2. They were sent home with a 0-4 record; losing two more 2-1 and 13-1.
“We went back to work this week, trying to increase our intensity and enthusiasm for the last half of the season,” head coach Phil Berry said.
The girls emphasize that this is still the first year of the program, and they are grateful for what they’ve accomplished thus far.
“It is hard enough to start a team, but God knew what he was doing when he brought us all together,” Jones said. “We have been given so much as a team, and we are so grateful for the work and effort our coaches have put in to make us who we are.”
The Lady Bisons swept Arkansas Tech University in a double-header on March 25 at home. They will travel to Northwestern Oklahoma State University today for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. They will also play again tomorrow at 12 and 2 p.m.
