SEARCY, Ark. – A Harding (15-3, 2-1 GAC) bunt single in the 12th inning scored the game-winning run and lifted the Bisons to a 1-0 victory over Oklahoma Baptist (14-4, 1-2 GAC) on Sunday afternoon.
The contest was the longest game of OBU's DII era.
The Bison left seven runners on base and batted 0-8 with runners in scoring position. The theme wasn't much different for Harding, who was 1-9 at the plate with runners on and 1-6 with players in scoring position.
Kayleigh Jones tossed 11.0 innings, striking out eight of the 42 batters she faced. The one run she allowed was unearned. With the loss, Jones' record falls to 11-2.
Sydney Adler and Morgan Max led the Bison at the plate with two hits apiece, while Adi Reese and Ally Ryan recorded one hit.
Three innings would pass before either team put a ball in play. Then in the third, an Ally Ryan double put the first Bison on base. In the following at-bat, an S. Adler sacrifice bunt advanced Gwyn Miller, pinch-running for Ryan, to third base. Next, Alleyna Rushing reached on a fielder's choice, placing two on bags.
However, Harding forced two straight fly-outs that retired the Bison in the frame.
OBU didn't tally a hit again until the fifth, courtesy of Adi Reese, but the feat was to no avail as the HU defense stiffened to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
At the bottom of the seventh, Jones put away the first two batters after fighting through two at-bats that saw 18 pitches. Then a Harding single put one on. HU made a desperate attempt to advance its runner, but Samantha Campos connected with Emily Adler for the last out at second base to force extras.
Oklahoma Baptist recorded a hit in all but one inning the rest of the way. Unfortunately, nothing came of it.
OBU returns to Shawnee next weekend to host Northwestern Oklahoma State for a three-game series at Bison Softball Park. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday.
