Written by Eli Dean // Photo by Macy Cox
Harding baseball pulled away with a crucial home series win against Ouachita Baptist University, one that sets them in a good position to host a playoff series at Jerry Moore Field.
The Bisons took two out of three against the Tigers, and it was a collective team effort in each game. In game one, a pitchers’ duel saw the game tied going into the bottom of the eighth inning. After two straight outs, a double by sophomore catcher Collin Helms put a runner in scoring position, leading Helms to score on a base hit by another sophomore, third baseman Logan Lacey. The score would be 3-2 heading into the ninth, and junior Javier Lobo shut the door down for the win. The win gave Harding their 100th win against OBU in the program’s history.
Head coach Patrick McGaha said it is always a good feeling to pull off a victory against one of Harding’s biggest rivals.
“It’s something I’ve been a part of for a long time,” McGaha said. “When I played here it was a big rivalry then. They’ve been really good the last few years, so for us to beat them, it feels good.”
Each series win is important, as Harding sits tied for fourth in the Great American Conference standings. McGaha said the team knows the implications each game possesses and that the series win against OBU puts them on the right track as they finish off the in-conference schedule.
“Winning a series is so crucial because the top four teams get to host the first round,” McGaha said. “So every time you can win a series it’s crucial, and it really does build momentum towards your midweek and the next weekend series.”
The series hit a rough patch in game two, as OBU scored two runs in the ninth to take their own 3-2 victory. Senior outfielder Sawyer Price hit a home run in the first game of the doubleheader and brought in three RBIs in the rubber match for the series as the bats sparked an 8-3 win which clinched the series win. Price said the team’s resilience and inspired work ethic for each other has played a big role in bouncing back from defeats.
“We’ve been playing some really good baseball, and we’ve been staying together through thick and thin,” Price said. “Stuff is going to happen, and we’re doing our best to stay together and love each other.”
The pitching staff also had a strong weekend, as they held OBU scoreless for the last four innings of the final game of the doubleheader. That game’s starter, sophomore Merritt Jay, struck out five over five innings of work and threw 100 pitches, which was his most in a start this season. Jay said the team is determined to finish the year strong and is looking forward to the last two conference series.
“Being able to put ourselves in a position to play meaningful games late in the year always brings excitement and motivation for everyone on the team,” Jay said. “As long as we keep playing for each other and our brand of baseball we will have confidence for any challenge the rest of the season may bring.”
Looking ahead, the Bisons take on Southeastern Oklahoma State University this weekend, with the series opening today at home at 6 p.m. and a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, with the first game at 1 p.m. Sophomore shortstop Cooper Newsom said the team is right where they want to be on and off the field.
“We are really playing together and for the person next to us,” Newsom said. “For the rest of the year if we play hard and compete every pitch we will end the year in a good place.”
