Harding Athletic Highlights - April 28, 2023

Hawks' Baseball Wins 5-2 Over USN to End Season
The 2023 Harding Hawks Baseball Season came to a close on April 26th which saw the Blue & White defeat HVAC Baseball runners-up USN 5-2 before a large crowd at the Highway 70S Fields.  Eli Russ '23 pitched 5-strong innings on the mound to keep the game close all the while striking out 8 and Luke Fields '23 came in to close it on the mound in the 6th for the victory!  At the plate Russ, Fields, Daniel Maumus '23 and Chase Embry '23 all came up huge with timely base hits to pace the very balanced Hawks Offensive Attack!  Defensively, the Hawks put on a display that was MLB Ready from Avin Burditt '25, Riley Bundren '25 and Elijah Westbrook '25 each making All Star worthy defensive plays to stop the USN Bats from doing any damage, all the while Maumus was the second coming of Ivan Rodriguez behind the plate throwing out any runner crazy enough to try and steal a base.  Truly a TEAM victory ... the coaches are thankful for all the hard work the players (and parents) displayed this season overcoming a small roster with teamwork, discipline and hard work.  Great things await the Class of 2023!

Varsity Girls Lacrosse Beats FRA in Quarterfinals 6-5
Harding girls' lacrosse got an exciting first round playoff win against FRA Monday night. The Hawks went down 0-2 early in the first half. After goals by Lauren Sullivan, Louisa Smith and Ruby Gunnels the Hawks entered half time with a 5-2 lead. FRA battled back and climbed within 1 with 2 minutes remaining in game play. Charlie George made a beautiful last second save to solidify the Hawks 6-5 win. She had 7 total saves in the game. Sullivan, Louisa Smith, Margaux Brown and Mackenna McLean all gained key possessions for the hawks on the draw circle. Greer Bodzy and Margaret Greathouse held down the defensive end each recording multiple caused turnovers. 8th graders Sullivan and Gunnels each finished the game with 2 goals. Alexa McKay and Smith each recorded a goal as well. Go Hawks!

Varsity Girls Lacrosse Upsets Brentwood Middle 5-4
Harding girls' lacrosse upset the number #2 seed Brentwood in a thrilling 5-4 semi-final win Tuesday night. The Hawks went down early in the first 10 minutes 2-0 but battled back going into halftime tied 3-3. Samantha Massad and Ruby Gunnels each tallied a goal in the second half to bring the Hawks lead to 5-3. Brentwood eventually scored again with 5 minutes remaining bringing the score within 1. Harding's Lauren Sullivan secured a key draw control and the Hawks were able to run out the clock for the last 3 minutes of the game. Sullivan would finish the game with 6 draw controls, 2 goals, and 4 ground balls. Gunnels scored twice and Massad had a lone goal to help the Hawks to victory. 7th grade goal keeper Charlie George finished the game with 5 big saves in net. Greer Bodzy and Margaret Greathouse held down the defensive end each recording multiple caused turnovers and ground balls. 

Varsity Girls Lacrosse Wraps Up Season
Harding girls' lacrosse wrapped up their season with a second place finish in the HVAC finals. Lauren Sullivan lead the scoring with 3 goals. Alexa McKay and Louisa Smith each tallied a goal as well. The Hawks made it to the finals after upsetting the #3 seed in quarterfinals and the #2 seed in the semi finals. It was a fun season, thank you to the 8th graders, Lauren Sullivan, Greer Bodzy, Samantha Massad, Ruby Gunnels, and Kate McDonald. We will miss you!

Track Competes in Last Meet of the Season