SAU’s Win Streak Ends in Split with Southeastern Oklahoma State

By: Houston Taylor

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Blame it on April Fools Day, or compare it to a Sports Illustrated cover jinx that comes with a No. 1 ranking, regardless, Southeastern Oklahoma State (20-16) ended Southern Arkansas’ 21-game win streak with a 6-4 extra inning decision in the opener of Tuesday’s doubleheader at Mulerider Field. The Muleriders started a new streak by earning a split with a 5-4 win in the nightcap. The opening game loss left SAU one win shy of the school record 22 consecutive victories in 1987.

Ranked first in all three NCAA Division II polls, Southern Arkansas (30-4) got a one-out, bases loaded, hit batter to force in the winning run in the second contest. In the seventh, after snaring third baseman James Schroeder’s line drive for the first out, Savage Storm pitcher Randall Clay gave up a single to first baseman Tim Dellwo, who promptly stole second. Clay then gave an intentional pass to left fielder John Long to set up the force, but after plunking catcher Brandon Graves with his first pitch to fill the bags, he did the same to centerfielder Tyler Maag on a 1-0 count. It was Maag’s only RBI on the day, but a big one.

The Muleriders collected nine hits in the win, committed two errors, and left 10 on base, three of those in the final inning after the winning run. SOSU got their four runs off six hits, made one error, and stranded four.

Down 3-2 after four innings, SAU chased Southeastern Oklahoma starter Daniel Ingram in the sixth. After a couple of fielder’s choices allowed Maag and right fielder David Aubrey to reach, second baseman Curtis Gibson greeted Clay with a double down the left field line for two runs and a 4-3 Southern Arkansas advantage. But Tyler Johnson used the first pitch he saw in the seventh for his third hit of the game, a solo homer to left center, to put the Savage Storm back on top, before the Muleriders won it in the bottom half.

Dellwo and designated hitter Nick Smith each had two hits in the game, including a double for Dellwo. Long also added a two-bagger.

Brendan McDonald (2-1), who entered in the fifth for starter Brian Byrd, picked up the win. McDonald was credited for 2 2/3 innings, allowing only the homerun and a walk, while striking out four. Byrd went 4 1/3, giving up five hits, three runs of which two were earned, and fanning two.

Clay (0-2) tossed 1 1/3 in being saddled with the loss. He allowed two hits, the earned run and walk, and struck out one.

Always a formidable opponent for SAU, SOSU overcame four errors and was out-hit 9-7 by Southern Arkansas, but still came away with the upset victory in eight innings in game one. The Muleriders made just one error, but also stranded 10 on the bases in this one, while Southeastern Oklahoma left four on.

SAU jumped out to a 3-0 margin in the first inning, but the Savage Storm plated a solo in the fourth and three in the fifth. Southern Arkansas knotted it up in the sixth on Zane Williams’ RBI single that pushed Matt Weigand across.

Jeremy Jenkins relieved Mulerider starter Brandon Wellborn to begin the seventh and promptly retired the side. After SAU got nothing in their half, it went to the extra eighth, where Jenkins wasn’t as fortunate as SOSU touched him for two runs, including a solo homer from Clay. Southern Arkansas went three up and down in the bottom half.

Other than the flubs on the mound in his loss, Clay was a thorn in Southern Arkansas’ side, going 4 for 7 on the day, including 3 for 4 with two doubles, the homer, and three RBI in the win.

The Muleriders had an opportunity for an even bigger first inning, but left three on base. They stranded runners in every inning except for the final eighth.

Long was 3 for 4 with a double and RBI in the contest. Schroeder and shortstop Pat Robey also added doubles for SAU.

Jenkins (5-2) took the loss in two innings of work. He allowed two hits and the two runs, only one earned, and struck out two. Wellborn, in his second start, went the first six, giving up five hits, four earned runs, and two walks, while fanning five.

Brady Huckabee (3-2) got the win in relief, tossing 3 1/3 innings.

Southern Arkansas returns to Gulf South Conference play this weekend, traveling to Russellville to face Arkansas Tech in a three-game series. Saturday’s doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. while Sunday’s solo is scheduled for 1 p.m.