ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Junior right-hander Landon Simpson turned in his most dominant start of the season so far as he tossed a four-hit shutout while striking out a season-high 10 batters in the opening game of Sunday afternoon's doubleheader against Ouachita Baptist. With Simpson's shutout, SAU took game one 8-0. In the second game, SAU trailed 7-1 going into the sixth inning before roaring back with eight runs over the final two innings to propel themselves to the come-from-behind win and doubleheader sweep.
 
While the final score in the opener ended up being a blowout, the first six innings of the Great American Conference contest were anything but as Simpson and OBU starting pitcher Connor Reed were locked in a relentless pitcher's duel as the two combined for no runs on just five hits in that time.
 
The scoreless duel would break in the seventh when the Muleriders (17-9, 8-4 GAC) scored twice after loading the bases with one out. Chris Quinn cashed in the first of those two runs on a single to left field that scored Billy Germaine. A batter later, Justin Buchanan's reaching first base on a fielder's choice to the shortstop scored Jon Phillips and made it a 2-0 game in favor of SAU.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Simpson would work around a leadoff hit to keep the Tigers (10-8, 6-2 GAC) scoreless and bring the Muleriders back to the plate. In the top of the eighth, SAU added two more runs to double their lead to 4-0. That inning began with a walk to Chase Harvey which was then followed by a double down the left field line off the bat of Trevor Rucker. Korey Keith would then score Harvey from third and move Rucker to third base on a single up the middle. A ground-ball double play off the bat of Billy Germaine followed, but Rucker was able to score on the play.
 
In the next half inning, Simpson made quick work of the Tigers, retiring the side in order.
 
Now in the top of the ninth, SAU would push across four more runs to double their lead and make it an 8-0 game. In the frame, the Muleriders would collect RBI hits from Buchanan and Harvey, a sacrifice fly from Rucker, and a RBI triple by Korey Keith.
 
Now staked to an eight-run lead, Simpson would go back out in the ninth and once again worked a perfect inning as he secured his second shutout of the season. All told, Simpson would scatter four hits, walk none and strike out 10.
 
In the nightcap, OBU jumped out to an early 5-0 lead as all five runs scored in the first inning. In the second, the Tigers added a run off of reliever Colton Strother to make it 6-0. The Muleriders would push across a run in the fourth inning but OBU matched that run in the bottom half to keep it a six-run lead for the Tigers.
 
After a scoreless fifth for both teams, the Muleriders began to craft their comeback in the sixth as they scored three runs on just one hit. That hit started the rally as Carver Rademacher singled to left field to leadoff the frame. Consecutive walks followed Rademacher's hit and loaded the bases with no outs. A hit-by-pitch to William Townsend in the ensuing at-bat chased home the first run and spelled the end of the game for OBU starter John Franklin Matros.
 
During the next at-bat, SAU plated the second run of the inning on a passed ball. Another hit-by-pitch, this one to Harvey re-loaded the bases, still with no outs. Rucker then drove in the third and final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to right field.
 
Now trailing by three runs, 7-4, SAU got a perfect inning on the mound from Strother in the bottom of the sixth to keep the game within striking distance.
 
In the seventh, SAU wasted no time in keeping their furious comeback charge going as Phillips led off the frame with a walk. Following the walk, Phillips would swipe second base to move into scoring position for Rademacher. Later in that at-bat, Rademacher would drive in Phillips on a solid single up the middle. Two batters later, SAU pulled to within a single run, 7-6, as Townsend doubled home Quinn.
 
Advancing to third on the Townsend double was Renaldo Morris, who came on as a pinch-runner for Buchanan just before. In the next at-bat, Harvey knotted the game at 7-all as he grounded out to second base, scoring Morris.
 
In the ensuing at-bat, Rucker pushed the Muleriders on top, 8-7, as he singled to centerfield. After stealing second base, Rucker would advance to third on a wild pitch. Rucker then came around to score a run of insurance as Keith reached on a fielding error by the OBU shortstop.
 
Now with a two-run lead, SAU turned to the bullpen and closer Travis Johnson. A first-pitch pop-up to Harvey at second base served as the first out in the bottom of the seventh. OBU then threatened as the next two batters reached base to bring the potential winning run to the plate. Despite the threat, Johnson immediately got out of the jam as he induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play.
 
The Muleriders and Tigers are scheduled to play once more in a non-conference mid-week game on Tuesday, March 17 at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field. First-pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.