By: Houston Taylor
MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Right fielder David Aubrey’s walk-off two-run homer gave fourth-ranked Southern Arkansas (29-3, 9-0 GSC) a 10-run rule, shortened seven inning 12-1 win and a Gulf South Conference series sweep over Arkansas-Monticello (0-26, 0-9 GSC) Sunday at Mulerider Field. The game was delayed for an hour and 19 minutes in the bottom of the fourth inning due to lightning and rain.
It was the Muleriders’ 21st consecutive victory, one short of the school record 22 straight games won by the 1987 SAU NAIA World Series team that finished third in the nation.
First baseman Tim Dellwo’s two-out, two-run single had just given Southern Arkansas a 5-1 advantage in the bottom of the fourth when lightning, and then rain, sent the game into a delay. When play resumed, third baseman James Schroeder, courtesy of catcher’s interference, joined Dellwo and designated hitter Nick Smith, who reached prior to Dellwo on a walk, to load the bases. Left fielder John Long then cleared the bags with a double to right center to complete a five-run inning.
Aubrey ended the nine-inning affair in the seventh with his second homerun of the season, a shot to left field that also brought in catcher Brandon Graves, who had reached prior on a single. Long had tripled to lead off the inning, scoring on Graves hit.
The Muleriders used nine hits in the win, committed one error, and stranded five runners. The Boll Weevils got but four hits, scoring their run in the first, made two errors, and left six on base.
With the shortened game and not having to go five innings, Magnolia native Hayden Simpson (6-0) was delivered the win with four innings of work. After the long delay SAU came back with Jeremy Jenkins who tossed the final three innings for his second save of the year.
Simpson scattered three hits over his four frames, allowing the earned run and two walks, while striking out four. Jenkins faced just 10 batters, giving up a hit.
Long was the only multi-hit player, going 3 for 4 with his double and triple, and driving in three runs. Schroeder and Dellwo also added three RBI apiece, with Schroeder’s all coming on his ninth homer of the season for Southern Arkansas’ three runs in the first.
Matt Gardner’s double in the first gave UAM its lone run.
Kevin Lienard (0-3) took the loss in throwing 3 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits, six earned runs, and six walks, and struck out three.
The Muleriders take a break from conference action in hosting Southeastern Oklahoma State Tuesday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader (7/7). Those, along with a three-game GSC series April 12-13 against Christian Brothers, and a solo April 26 game with Montevallo, are SAU’s final regular season home games.
Photos by Aaron Morris, SAU sports information
