SEARCY, Ark. –  The East Central University softball team closed out their Great American Conference series at Harding University on Saturday with a 4-0 loss in Searcy.
 
ECU softball will return home to Ada for their next GAC series against Arkansas Tech on March 20-21, looking to bounce back.
 
The Bison struck early, plating three runs in the first inning on a pair of key hits, including a two-RBI double and an RBI groundout. ECU was unable to get on the board, and Harding added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI single to secure the win.
 
ECU's offense couldn't find the breakthrough, and Harding's pitching kept the Tigers scoreless throughout the contest. Kenni Tudor notched the Tigers' only hit of the game.
 
Kennedy Schroeder took the loss for ECU, allowing three runs to start the game. Lindsey Mauppin settled in for the bulk of the contest, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing just one run. Brooklyn Charnock closed out the game with a scoreless final two-thirds of an inning, keeping Harding from adding more and helping ECU stay in the contest.