SHAWNEE, Okla. – Great American Conference play opened up around the league this weekend and the No. 15-ranked Southern Arkansas baseball team dropped both ends of its doubleheader at GAC-newcomer Oklahoma Baptist on Friday afternoon, falling by scores of 7-2 in the opener and 5-0 in the nightcap.
GAME 1 Recap In the opener, the Muleriders (7-5, 0-2 GAC) would strike first as
Billy Germaine connected on his fourth homerun of the season in the top of the fourth, giving SAU a 1-0 lead. An inning later, the Muleriders would take a 2-0 lead as they forced a couple of throwing errors on a two-out steal attempt of
Jake Tisevich which allowed him to score on the play.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bison (9-1, 2-0 GAC) would score a pair of runs to tie the game at 2-all. Prior to that inning, the Bison had managed just three hits off of SAU starter
Landon Simpson, but a leadoff single came around to score and a RBI double platted the second run of the inning.
After the Muleriders were retired in order in the top of the seventh, the Bison would strike for five runs on four hits while also taking advantage of a Mulerider error as they surged ahead 7-2 in the game. The big blow in the frame was a three-run homerun off the bat of Brandon Cuddy.
SAU would get a double in each of the eighth and ninth innings, but were unable to score again as the Bison starter Jinny Para went the distance.
GAME 2 Recap In the nightcap, the Bison would chase home a leadoff single in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. Two innings later, the Bison would add a run as they were able to stay in a rundown long enough to allow the second run of the game score.
The Bisons would add two more runs in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. That score would stand until the bottom of the sixth when the Bison tacked on a run to bring the game to its eventual final of 5-0 in favor of Oklahoma Baptist.
For the Muleriders in that game, they would manage just two hits as the Bison starter, Carson McPherson, went the distance and earned the shutout in the seven-inning affair.
Up Next The Muleriders will return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon as they will look to claim the final game of the series against the Bison. First-pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
