The Harding softball program\u2019s record books are young, and this is only the Lady Bisons\u2019 sixth season; however, for senior outfielder Peyton Mills, it is still a special moment to have her name written in history.<\/p>\n
Mills set the school\u2019s RBI record in the opening game of Harding\u2019s series against Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) on March 15. With two runners on in the bottom of the fourth inning, and Mills\u2019 RBI total set at 152, Mills doubled to center, scoring sophomore outfielder Kyndal Pirtle and freshman second baseman Hanna Jones.<\/p>\n
Those two RBI\u2019s gave Mills the school record with 154, breaking former catcher Kimmy Hendricks\u2019 two-year-old record.<\/p>\n
Mills said it was special to break Hendricks\u2019 record because she looked up to her as a freshman.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe showed me the ropes early on,\u201d Mills said. \u201cIt was a privilege to take it from her because that is who I looked up to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Softball Head Coach Phil Berry said Mills has been an exemplary student athlete from the time that she stepped on campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has been a special player,\u201d Berry said. \u201cThis is not the last record she is going to break before she leaves this spring.\u201d Mills already ranks first in program history in triples and slugging percentage, and is top three in total bases, stolen bases, hits, doubles and homeruns, among others. Berry said her leadership on the team is crucial to the team\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Our team focuses on] doing the small execution things, moving runners, sacrificing yourself for the good of the team and hitting a ground ball that produces a run,\u201d Berry said. \u201cPeyton has certainly provided leadership in that direction.\u201d Even though Mills has passed this exciting milestone, she credits her ability to drive in runs to her teammates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would not have been able to set the record if it was not for teammates, past and present, because they have to get on base in order for me to hit them in,\u201d Mills said. \u201cIt is just a testament to having hard working teammates that are willing to help each other in different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n
Junior outfielder Lindsey Duncan has been Mills\u2019 teammate for three years now. She said Mills is a calm and collected leader.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe doesn\u2019t just lead by her words, but by her actions as well,\u201d Duncan said. \u201cShe is the type of person you can respect and someone you want to play for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Berry said it was great for Mills to set the record at home, celebrating with her friends and family. Duncan said it was great to be at home so more people could see Mills break the record.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the game, she got more hugs, highfives and congratulations than she would have if we were on the road,\u201d Duncan said.<\/p>\n
Harding won Mills\u2019 record-setting game 4-2 and the series against OBU 3-1. They are now 16-12 overall and 8-8 in conference play. Mills had a hot bat all series; she went 7-11 with six RBIs, swiping four bags in the series as well. The team now hits the road for a series against Southern Nazarene University beginning today at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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