SEARCY – The 13th-ranked Harding softball team came up short Sunday, falling to Northwestern Oklahoma 5-3 in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons had already sealed the series win with a doubleheader sweep Saturday.

Harding falls to 26-8 overall and 12-5 in the GAC.

Northwestern Oklahoma improves to 7-27 overall and 4-13 in the GAC.

Junior Maegan Pistokache (5-3) started and took the loss in the circle for Harding. Sophomore Riley Price came out of the pen and pitched five innings, surrendering one run on three hits, walking none and striking out four.

In the batter's box, the Lady Bisons were led by Chelsea Blankenship, who went 1-for-3 on the day with two RBI. Sophomores Macy Smith and Leigha Harris also chipped in for Harding, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Bisons got on the board first scoring three runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning. Chelsea Blankenship hit a single to center that scored Leigha Harris and Nicole Shano. Jordan Cabana knocked in the other run when she reached on a fielder's choice.

Northwestern Oklahoma answered back in the top of the second, scoring four runs on three hits. Tatum Winters and Macy Spearman each knocked in two runs in the inning.

The Rangers added its final run in the sixth on three hits.

GAME NOTES

» Harding pitchers faced 29 Northwestern Oklahoma hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out six.
» Northwestern Oklahoma was led offensively by junior Macy Spearman, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
» Senior Hannah Howell got the win for Northwestern Oklahoma and improves to 2-9 on the season. She threw the complete game and faced 28 batters.

Harding will back in action next weekend when it travels to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to take on Henderson State in a three-game series. First pitch of the series is scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.