[March 9, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – After three weather-related postponements, Southern Arkansas and Henderson State were finally able to get in the first of two scheduled doubleheaders in their Gulf South Conference openers. The delay didn’t help the Lady Muleriders as the Lady Reddies claimed 10-3 and 9-1 wins for a sweep Sunday at Dee White Field.

HSU (19-6, 2-0 GSC) picked up their 10 runs in the opener on 11 hits, while committing one error and stranding four. SAU (5-9, 0-2 GSC) got their three runs on four hits, played error-free, and left four on base.

Southern Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI single from second baseman JoAnna Jones before Henderson State responded with five runs in the bottom half, aided by Jennifer Lynn’s two-run homer. Jones gave the Lady Muleriders their final two runs with a two-run shot of her own in the fifth. The Lady Reddies tacked on two runs in the fourth and three in the sixth for the final margin.

Kelcie Glidden, Dea Bates, Haylee Williams, and Miracle Thurston all had doubles for HSU, with Lynn and Glidden finishing with three RBI each in the game.

Jones had two hits and three RBI for SAU.

Lauren Carley (9-3) started and went five innings in picking up the win, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and three walks, while striking out six.

Cheyenne Savony (3-3) went the distance in taking the loss. She gave up the 11 hits and 10 runs, all earned, two walks, and fanned five.

Southern Arkansas jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning in the nightcap when Jones singled, stole second, was pushed to third on a sacrifice, and then scored on a wild pitch. But Jones’ hit and score was all the Lady Muleriders would get as Patti Collins and Katie Corbell combined for the one-hitter in limiting the SAU hitters. Henderson State plated two runs in their half of the first, five in the fourth coming on six hits, and two more runs in the fifth to end it on the eight-run rule.

The Lady Reddies got their nine runs on 12 hits, made no errors, and left eight on. Southern Arkansas committed three errors and stranded one.

Collins (3-1) threw four innings with Jones’ hit and run her only setback. She walked two and struck out one. Corbell was credited with the final inning, relieving Collins after she walked the first two batters in the fifth. Corbell got a double-play ball and a groundout to get out of the inning.

Alex Doyle (2-3) was credited with four innings in taking the loss as HSU scored their two runs in the fifth without making an out. Of the nine runs allowed, seven were earned, as Doyle walked two and fanned one.

The two teams will meet Monday in Magnolia to wrap up the four game series. The doubleheader is slated to start at 2 p.m. at the Ballpark on Stadium Drive.