---

GAME NOTES (PDF) | SAU | HU

Leading Off
The Southern Arkansas softball team is back in Magnolia this weekend after a 4-2 week saw the Lady Muleriders take three of four games from reiging GAC Regular Season Champion Henderson State, before splitting a "Rivalry Tuesday" road doubleheader with Arkansas-Monticello on Tuesday. The Lady Muleriders are 27-4 overall this season and 19-4 in league play, currently sit in second-place in the conference standings and are recieving votes in the NFCA Coach's Poll for the second-consecutive week in the 2016 season.

This weekend, the Lady Muleriders continue their late season trek into the toughest part of their schedule as they welcome in Harding (25-13, 17-9 GAC), who are currently fourth in the conference standings.
    
HU enters the series on a three-game skid that includes a tough DH loss to league-leader Arkansas Tech on Tuesday. Last year's series in Searcy was washed out completely and the only matchup between the Lady Bisons and the Lady Muleriders in 2015 came in an elimaination contest in last season's GAC tourney; where Harding shutout Southern Arkansas 5-0 and ended the Lady Muleriders' season.
 
This will be just the 6th meeting all-time between the Lady Muleriders and the Lady Bisons due to the fact that HU's softball program is just three years old. Southern Arkansas is 4-0 all-time in Magnolia, having swept Harding in the programs' first ever meeting in 2014.
    
SAU boasts league bests in team ERA (1.34), fielding percentage (.970) and batting average (.340). The Lady Bisons are 2nd in batting average (.330), 3rd in fielding percentage (.961), and 8th in team ERA (3.70).
    
First-pitch for Friday's Doubleheader at the Mulerider Softball Complex (MSC) in Magnolia is scheduled for 2 p.m., with a special field naming ceremony beginning at 1:30 p.m. as the playing surface at the newly renovated MSC will officially become "Dawson Field."
    
Be sure to check www.MuleriderAthletics.com or follow us on Twitter @MuleriderSports for the most up-to-date news on Lady Mulerider Softball, including recaps of all the SAU action this weekend.