BENTONVILLE, Ark. – A five-run first inning provided all the offense Harding would need in its 8-2 win against Oklahoma Baptist in Friday's third quarterfinal contest of the Great American Conference Under Armour Softball Championships from Tiger Athletic Complex. The victory extended Harding's win streak to 15.
 
Nicole Shano opened the scoring with a one-out, two-run home run, her eighth of the season. Chelsea Blankenship reached on a dropped catch by Bison pitcher Aspen Younce. One out later, the Lady Bisons (34-11) took advantage of the extra out as she scored on a Jordan Cabana single. Amanda Fields brought in Cabana with a double and Briley Feringa drove home Fields on a single to left center.
 
Lily Tanski, the GAC Pitcher of the Year, kept the Bison (21-20) off the scoreboard through the first four innings. Oklahoma Baptist finally solved Tanski in the fifth with an RBI single by Cheyenne Demaree and when Shelby Savage scored on a double steal attempt.
 
The Lady Bisons tacked on insurance runs in the sixth inning on a two-out three-run home run by Blankenship. All nine of the Harding starters recorded a hit led by three from Hanna Jones. Tanski picked up her league-leading 22^nd win with her 19^th complete game. McKenna Anderson collected three of Oklahoma Baptist's seven hits.
 
Harding advances to Saturday's second semifinal matchup. The Lady Bisons will take on Southeastern Oklahoma State at 3:00 p.m. The Lady Bisons closed out the regular season with a three-game sweep of the Savage Storm.