Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – A grand-slam by Maddie Dow in the third inning and a two-run shot by Shelby Miller in the sixth inning helped propel the Southern Arkansas softball team to an 8-3 win over East Central in the opener on Saturday afternoon. East Central would stave off the series sweep, however, with a 5-0 win in the nightcap.
 
In the opener, the Lady Tigers (21-18, 13-13 GAC) would strike first as they scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning off of SAU starter Hanna Gill. Despite the shaky start, Gill would settle in over the next five innings as she allowed only one more run on three hits.
 
With Gill settling into her start, the Lady Muleriders (23-17, 18-11 GAC) would get their offense started in the bottom of the third. In that frame, the Lady Muleriders would load the bases with one out thanks to walks to Brittany Johnson and Miller, as well as a hit by Courtney Hudgins. With the bases now loaded, the Lady Muleriders would send their top run producer to the plate in the form of Dow.
 
Dow, who came into the game with a team-best 34 RBIs, would add four more to her season total with one swing of the bat as she smashed a grand slam homerun to give the Lady Muleriders a 4-2 lead. The Lady Tigers would get one of those runs back in the top of the fourth inning, however, as they cut the lead in half, trailing by just a run, 4-3.
 
Single runs in the fourth and fifth innings by the Lady Muleriders extended their lead out three runs, 6-3. The back-breaking blow in the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning. In that inning, Hudgins would draw a two-out walk which allowed the lineup to turn over and Miller to get a plate appearance. After working the count into her favor, 2-1, Miller launched a homerun just to the right of the flagpole in centerfield, making it an 8-3 lead for SAU.
 
Miller then entered the circle in relief of Gill for the top of the seventh. In that inning, Miller would work around a one-out single as she retired the next two batters to end the game.
 
In the nightcap, Dow and Miller's bats would stay hot as they accounted for four of the team's seven hits, but the Lady Muleriders ultimately would be held scoreless as the Lady Tiger staved off the series sweep, wining the finale 5-0.
 
The Lady Muleriders will be back at home this Tuesday, April 8 as they are set to finish their GAC series with Arkansas-Monticello. First-pitch at Lady Mulerider Field is scheduled for 2 p.m.