Athletic Highlights - April 12, 2024

Girls Lax scored a season-high 16 goals and their 4th win of the season last night against Pope Prep. Hannah Sides, Alexa McKay, and Louisa Smith led the scoring with 4 goals each. Anne Russ a CPA addition added 2 goals as well. Charlie George had 5 big saves in the net despite Pope's multiple scoring attempts. Anne McCarley has 2 big assists to help the Hawks to victory. The Hawks are back in action Monday, April 15th against Brentwood. Go Hawks! 

The Harding Academy Hawks played a nail-biter on Monday night versus Pope Prep trailing 2-1 going into the 7th and final inning before eventually falling 7-2.  Luke Anderson ('24) pitched 4 strong innings allowing only 2 runs while scattering 4 hits.  Riley Husbands ('26) then came on in relief in the 5th for 3 innings and allowed only 1 hit to the Knights' bats ... the Hawks Pitching Duo reminded some in the stands of a young Nolan Ryan & Gerrit Cole before the MLB big money took away their amateur standing.  In the field, a strong defensive effort was turned in by Riley Bundren ('25) manning duties behind the plate with a near flawless effort and scoring one of the Hawks 2 runs after leading off with a rocket single in the 7th to centerfield.  Walt Sanders ('24) played a standout CF and drove in Anderson with a line drive single in the 6th to jumpstart the Hawks' scoring attack.  The game featured great glove work from Michael Holscher ('26) at SS, Avin Burditt ('25) at 3rd and Joey Spalluto ('26) at first all flashing some fine leather work to keep the game close throughout.  Margie Clark ('24), Fletcher Brown ('24) and Mills Greene ('24) helped keep the young Hawks in the game with relentless effort on both offense and defense.  The Tigers are scheduled to next take on Ensworth on Tuesday in HVAC Conference Play ... come out and support the hard working Hawks!

The Varsity Hawks dropped their 2nd close game in as many days 7-2 to the Ensworth Tigers.  Like the day before, the Hawks entered the final inning down only 1 run but could not close out the game versus their much larger cross town rivals.  Once again, strong pitching ruled the day as Riley Bundren ('25) and Joey Spalluto ('26) combined to allow only 5 earned runs while scattering 7 hits .... and Bundren hit a line drive home run over the right field fence in the 3rd to help his own cause .. and it left the park so quick and was hit so long it was rumored to have both a flight crew and a full dinner service onboard.  Others adding hits in the Hawks' offensive attack were Avin Burditt ('25) and Spalluto while Walt Sanders ('24) and Michael Holscher ('26) also reached base before using their speed to steal 2nd to get into scoring position.  Once again fine glove work was evident throughout with Jackson Hall ('25) making a 2-run saving grab in leftfield in the 5th to keep the Hawks in the game .. and Head Coach Matt Burns got into the action himself with a one handed NIKE JUMPMAN recreation like grab in the 4th to protect those in the home dugout.  The Hawks take the field next on Friday vs. FRA before Monday's Spirit Game .. both at home and 4:15 starts!  Join us and share in the excitement!

The Harding Hawks had 8 different goal scores in a 12-3 victory over Freedom Middle last night. Louisa Smith, Hannah Sides, Alexa McKay, JG Embry, Margaret Greathouse, Riley Bertelli, Ann McCarley, and Charolette Hefferan each scored a goal to help lead the Hawks to victory. The most memorable play of the game started with a big save by Charlie George. The ground ball was recovered by Harper Atwood who passed to JG Embry, to Louisa Smith, to Riley Bertelli, finishing with a double post goal by Margaret Greathouse. It was a great win for the girls!