Box Score

ADA, Okla. – Saturday's series finale between the No. 4-ranked Southern Arkansas baseball team and East Central was a prototypical pitcher's duel through the first four and half innings as there was just one hit in the game to that point. But a three-hit, three-run inning in the bottom of the fifth ended the pitcher's duel and helped ECU eventually capture a 5-1 win.
 
After taking that 3-0 lead in the fifth, the Tigers (22-15, 11-10 GAC) added two more runs in the sixth to lead 5-0. The Muleriders (29-10, 15-9 GAC) would threaten in the top of the seventh as they loaded the based with one out thanks to three walks. A pair of swinging strikeouts would follow, however, to end the Mulerider threat.
 
In the eighth, the Muleriders kept on coming as Trevor Rucker led off the inning with a double down the left field line. A flyout of Jon Phillips in the ensuing at-bat moved Rucker to third base. Carver Rademacher then cashed in the Muleriders' lone run in the contest as he singled into centerfield, scoring Rucker.
 
The Muleriders will now prepare for a non-conference road game at Arkansas Tech on Tuesday, April 8. First-pitch is set for 2 p.m. in Russellville.