[April 20, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Southern Arkansas came back with an 8-5 win to salvage a split after falling 6-0 in the first game to Christian Brothers Saturday in Gulf South Conference softball action. The victory allowed the Lady Muleriders to even the season series with the Lady Buccaneers as the teams also split Wednesday in Magnolia.

SAU (9-28, 4-21 GSC) jumped out to an 8-0 advantage in the nightcap and were just three outs away from an eight-run rule win, but CBU (16-26, 3-21 GSC) plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend it and added a solo in the seventh for the final margin.

Southern Arkansas got their eight runs on 10 hits, committed one error, and left seven on base, while Christian Brothers had nine hits, made two errors, and stranded six.

The Lady Muleriders drove in four of their eight runs on sacrifice flies, with second baseman Joanna Jones having two, and left fielder Cheyenne Savony and third baseman Kilty Arny adding one each. Savony and Arny also added a double and had two RBI each. Jones also finished with two RBI and had two hits along with Arny and centerfielder Samantha Hoelscher.

Alex Doyle (4-8) started and went five innings to pick up the win, with Savony tossing two innings in relief. Doyle allowed five hits, three earned runs, and two walks, while striking out three.

SAU drove Lady Buc starter Kallie McFatter from the game after two innings in handing her the loss. McFatter (5-16) gave up three hits and runs.

Victoria Matthews had a two-run homer to kick-start CBU’s scoring in the sixth.

Nikki Dunn pitched a two-hit, complete game jewel for the shutout in the opener to improve her record to 11-10. Dunn walked only one while fanning four, and set down the last nine Southern Arkansas hitters she faced. She also had the win in Wednesday’s meeting in Magnolia.

Christian Brothers picked up 12 hits, committed one error, and left six on base, while the Lady Muleriders were limited to the two hits, played error-free and stranded three.

Paige Wright and Casey King each had doubles and drove in two runs, with King getting three hits.

SAU had singles from Savony and starting pitcher Sarah Holub.

Holub (0-8) was the loser, throwing the first 3 2/3 innings, with Savony going the rest of the way. Holub allowed 11 of the hits, all six runs, which were all earned, and walked one and struck out one.

Southern Arkansas travels to Arkansas-Monticello Tuesday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader, before concluding their season and the four-game league series with the Cotton Blossoms Saturday in Magnolia in a noon doubleheader.