Written by Eli Dean // Photo by Edgar Cardiel
Harding’s baseball team is looking to kick things up a notch into March after strong offensive showings the past four games. The No. 24 nationally ranked Bisons started last week with a 15-0 loss against Arkansas- Monticello Feb. 20 but followed that up with three victories against Oklahoma Baptist University over the weekend.
Sophomore outfielder Nathan Bowie kicked off the weekend with a walk-off double that set the tone for an explosive offensive showing.
“Walking off the game on Friday night was a great feeling,” Bowie said. “We played three very complete games where we competed every pitch for the guys around us and that’s what carried us through the weekend.”
Bowie is hitting .370 on the season after a four-for-five showing in Tuesday’s extra inning loss against Arkansas Tech University but said the team will carry the same energy into the dugout regardless of past outcomes.
“Our team chemistry is great because we believe we are one family,” Bowie said. “The energy in the dugout is the best I have ever been a part of — it is electric.”
A key part of the team chemistry is the new group of freshmen ready to make contributions to the team as the season progresses. One freshman, infielder Ty Kirkbride, said that the new culture of the team is a big reason why the team has had early success.
“Always having a winning culture and knowing that we play the game for the glory of God—when we remember those things God blesses us with victory.”
Along with the offense clicking recently, the pitching has held its own and fought through some early adversity. Junior pitcher Kyle Lane said the series against Oklahoma Baptist University showed the high level of effort that the team has put in during the early stages of the season.
“This team is special, and I think everyone can see that based on the work we put in and the way we play the game,” Lane said. “This past weekend showed what type of team we are by bouncing back from a midweek loss and being confident in who we are.”
The Bisons will be looking to do the same this weekend at home against Southern Arkansas University, a team that has won four straight games and nine of their last 10. Bowie said the team is confident in the challenge as they complete their first week in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association DII poll.
“Our goal is to be the same guys every day,” Bowie said. “We will be the same guys against whatever team we play and our goal is to compete for each other.”
As for what the rest of the season will look like, the Bisons will compete for a Great American Conference championship and more. Lane said the expectations will always have God in the center of it all.
“What you can expect from us the rest of the year is to play for each other and play for the glory of God,” Lane said. “We bring an intensity to the game that is unmatched and we will play all day against anyone.”
