MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team suffered an 18-8 loss to Harding on “Senior Day” to lose the series 2-1.
 
The Bisons (23-23, 7-10 GSC) struck first on an RBI infield single by Anthony Guglielmi in the top of the first inning.
 
After a scoreless second inning, the Boll Weevils (20-23, 4-13 GSC) took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the bottom of the third off a throwing error by the Harding shortstop and an RBI ground-rule double by senior Blaine Ivey.
 
The Bisons answered with nine runs in the top of the fourth inning, followed by three UAM runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-RBI single by senior Drew Harper.
 
Both teams added three runs in the fifth inning to give Harding a 13-8 lead going into the sixth. Neither team reached the scoreboard in sixth or seventh innings, before the Bisons exploded for five unanswered runs to close out the game – four in the eighth and one in the ninth.
 
Harper and senior shortstop Matthew Lewis each had went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the team in hits. Seniors Brian Johnson, Tyler Henry and Craig Caldwell all had two hits each.
 
Senior Kevin Lienard (1-6) was saddled with the loss after allowing eight runs off seven hits with one strikeout and three walks in three and two thirds innings of work. Harding’s Lucas Waddell (5-1) earned the win after allowing eight runs (seven earned) off 12 hits with five strikeouts and no walks in the first five innings of the contest.
 
Prior to the first pitch, UAM honored its nine seniors who played their final game at Weevils Field on Sunday. All nine seniors started the series finale.
 
The Boll Weevils are set to close out the regular season next weekend with a three-game GSC series on the road against Henderson State, starting with a double-header on Saturday, April 24 at noon.