MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas baseball team saw their six-game winning streak get snapped on Sunday afternoon as Washburn University beat SAU by a score of 13-5 in the final game of the 2016 SAU Baseball Invitational, which was held over the past three days at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field.
In the loss, the Muleriders (6-3) committed four defensive errors which, in turn, led to six unearned runs that were scored by the visiting Ichabods (4-3) to help further their cause.
The scoring in the game began in the top of the second inning when the Ichabods pushed across a run to take a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of that frame, however, the Muleriders swung on top as
Justin Buchanan lined a two-out single into left field that scored a pair of runs.
In the top of the third, however, the Ichabods would plate five runs (two unearned) on three hits while also benefitting from three issued walks, a pair of Mulerider errors and a balk.
As they did after Washburn scored in the second inning, the Muleriders would score twice in the bottom of the third to make it a 6-4 game. In that third inning, both runs scored on an opposite field two-run homerun off the bat of
Jake Tisevich, his first as a Mulerider.
After holding the Ichabods scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, the Muleriders would find the run column once more as
Trevor Rucker blasted a solo homerun off the football film tower beyond the outfield fence in left-centerfield of Goodheart Field. While the Rucker homerun pulled SAU to within a run, 6-5, it would have tied the game at six-all, but Tisevich was picked off at first base on a snap throw back to first base by the Ichabods' catcher.
A half inning later, the Ichabods would add to their lead as they platted four runs (one earned) in the sixth to make it 10-5 Washburn. In the next inning, the Ichabods added three more runs to bring the game to its eventual final of 13-5.
The Muleriders will return to the diamond this Tuesday as they are set to welcome in Mississippi College for a non-conference game. First-pitch at Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field is scheduled for 3 p.m.
