Southern Arkansas’ Strong Pitching Continues

By: Brendan McDonald

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – A career-high twelve strikeouts from senior starting pitcher Cole Lohden (Frisco, Texas) held the William Carey (Miss.) offense in check as fifth-ranked Southern Arkansas cruised to its ninth consecutive win with an 11-1 run-rule victory Tuesday at Mulerider Field.

Lohden (3-0) went the distance, scattering four singles and three walks over the seven-inning affair, striking out hitters in every frame except the second. The Crusaders scored their lone run off him in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Garrett Braley. Lohden’s effort follows complete-game wins from starters Hayden Simpson (Magnolia) and Matt Speake (Tyler, Texas) on Saturday against Harding and an eight-frame affair on Sunday in which starter Dan Bream (Coldwater, Mich.) went 7 1/3 innings for the victory over the Bisons.

SAU (20-3) batted around to jump on top in the first inning, scoring four runs without recording a hit. William Carey starter Ian Sharp walked the bases loaded before junior designated hitter Jake Astor (North Liberty, Iowa) lined a sacrifice fly to right to open the scoring. Junior right fielder Patrick Johnson (Natchitoches, La.) and senior catcher Dean Malthouse (Altona Meadows, Australia) both received bases-loaded walks before junior leftfielder Chris Harrison (Saline, Mich.) scored junior first baseman Logan Williams (Damascus) on a sacrifice fly.

Senior shortstop Andrew Whittington (Texas City, Texas) doubled to lead off the second, and would later score on senior third baseman Cannon Lester’s (El Dorado) sixth home run in as many games to give Southern Arkansas a 6-0 buffer. Whittington and Lester extended their hitting streaks to 22 and 15, respectively, in the inning.

Sophomore centerfielder Gavan McCauley (Prescott) led off the fourth inning with the first home run of his career, before the Muleriders tacked on their final four runs of the game in the fifth.

SAU had just six hits for the game, but were aided by Crusader pitchers who issued nine free passes, including six in the first frame.

Sharp (1-2) took the loss for William Carey, surrendering four earned runs in just one-third of an inning, facing six batters and walking five of them.

The teams conclude the series Wednesday with a nine-inning contest starting at 2 p. m.

Photos by Aaron Morris