[May 5, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – A record day propelled seventh-ranked Southern Arkansas to a 12-6 win over No. 21 Ouachita Baptist Monday at USA Stadium, eliminating the Tigers from the Gulf South Conference tournament. The Muleriders are the GSC West Division second-seed while OBU was the West third-seed.

It was the third win for SAU (43-9) in four games against Ouachita Baptist (43-14) this season, having taken two of three in their earlier conference series in April. The victory keeps Southern Arkansas alive in their quest for their second overall league championship while the Tigers go home.

The Muleriders established a new school season record and tied another in the process with the 12 runs driven in and scored. Their 490 RBI on the year moves them past the 1987 team’s 489, while the 12 runs gives them 549 for the season, matching the 2004 squad’s total. Leftfielder John Long’s single in Sunday’s 10-5 win over Harding gave him the new season total bases record with 151, bettering the mark of 150 held by Bob Block (1987) and Tracy Geffre (2002).

SAU matched their second-best season hit total in pounding out 21 against OBU, plating four runs in the second inning and exploding for eight in the sixth for all their scoring. They overcame three errors and leaving 11 runners stranded. Ouachita Baptist got their six runs on 12 hits, played error-free, and also left 11 on.

Southern Arkansas went small-ball in getting their four runs in the second, using three bunt singles among their six hits in the frame. Outfielders David Aubrey and Tyler Maag, and shortstop Pat Robey all bunted their way on, while designated hitter Curtis Gibson’s single, Maag’s bunt, and second baseman Cannon Lester’s two-run single brought in all the runs.

The Tigers kept it close, pushing three runs across in the top of the third, all unearned as the Muleriders committed two errors in the frame. OBU plated a solo in the fourth and two more in the top half of the sixth for a 6-4 advantage, but SAU responded with the eight-run onslaught in the bottom half that Ouachita Baptist never recovered from.

Maag kick-started the sixth in leading off and delivering the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for his second home run of the tournament. That was the first of three consecutive hits to start the frame and part of nine total in the inning. Southern Arkansas had five consecutive hits at one point, with catcher Tyler Alston’s single and pinch-hitter Zane William’s triple driving in two runs each during that span.

Robey and third baseman James Schroeder led the Muleriders with four hits apiece, each driving in a run. Lester, Alston, Williams, and Maag all had two RBI in the game, and every SAU player had at least one hit in the game.

Brian Byrd (2-0), who had the save in the Harding win, went 3 1/3 innings in relief to pick up the win, scattering five hits while holding the Tigers scoreless. He walked one and struck out two. Adam Anderson had a strong performance in his start on the mound, giving up seven hits in his 5 2/3 innings. Of the six runs allowed, only three were earned, and he walked five and struck out four.

OBU used four pitchers, with Alex Smith (3-2) taking the loss in surrendering the first four runs in the sixth. He pitched four innings, gave up seven hits and the four earned runs, while fanning two.

Southern Arkansas now advances to face Montevallo Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. The Falcons sent the Muleriders to the loser’s bracket portion of the tourney Saturday with a 12-3 win.

Photos by Aaron Morris, SAU sports information