Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The No. 4-ranked Southern Arkansas baseball team dropped the series-opening game against Ouachita Baptist by a score of 7-2 on Friday night at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field.
 
Friday night's game started with the potential of a great pitching matchup as SAU's Dylan Lynn and OBU's Davis Ward would oppose one another on the hill. Both entered the game unbeaten and with ERAs under 2.30. At the end of the game, it would be Ward who could get the better of Lynn as, the 2013 Great American Conference Pitcher of the Year, would earn a complete-game victory.
 
Offensively, the Muleriders (13-4, 4-3 GAC) were stymied by Ward as he allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits while striking out 14 batters. Both Mulerider runs off of Ward came in the bottom of the third inning when SAU brought themselves to within a run after falling behind 3-0.
 
In that inning for the Muleriders, Jon Phillips singled to shortstop with two outs and advanced to second base on that play as the Tigers' (9-7, 4-3 GAC) shortstop overthrew first base. A batter later, Carver Rademacher would drive in Phillips as he tripled to centerfield. Rademacher would also score on the play as the Tigers' centerfielder threw wildly into third base trying to cut down Rademacher.
 
The Tigers would get those two runs right back in the next half inning, however as they re-opened a three-run lead, 5-2. Two innings later, with Lynn on the mound for SAU, the Tigers added two more runs of insurance to take a 7-2 lead.
 
Lynn, who struck out nine batters, would exit the game after that inning, giving way to Jared Webb for the final three innings on the mound. Webb would hold the Tigers scoreless while allowing four hits and striking out two.
 
The Muleriders will return to the diamond for the final two games of the series on Saturday, March 1 for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.