#18 SAU Softball opens postseason play against East Central in opening round of GAC Tourney

#18 SOUTHERN ARKANSAS LADY MULERIDERS 41-8 (33-8 GAC)	EAST CENTRAL TIGERS 24-29 (21-21 GAC)
Thursday, April 28 \| 12 p.m. Tiger Athletic Complex - Bentonville, Ark. LIVE STATS \| LIVE VIDEO

Leading Off
#18 Southern Arkansas opens the 2016 postseason with a first round match-up in the 2016 Great American Conference Tournament against seventh-seeded East Central (24-29, 21-21 GAC). SAU is 5-1 in their last six games and is coming off a 4-0 series sweep of East Central. The Lady Muleriders are 41-8 overall this season and 33-8 in league play, enter as the second seed in the GAC Tournament and are ranked in the NFCA Division II Top-25 Coach's Poll for the fourth-consecutive week.

ECU enters as the seventh seed after dropping all four games at Southern Arkansas to conclude the regular season.

The Lady Muleriders and the Tigers will tangle for the third time in Bentonville with the series record tied at one game apiece.

SAU boasts a league best in fielding percentage (.973), and the second-best marks in batting average (.324) and team ERA (1.74). The Tigers are fifth
in team ERA (3.41) and fielding percentage (.958), and ninth in batting average (.267).

On Wednesday afternoon at the league's pre-tournament banquet, five Lady Muleriders were honored for their on-field performances, while three players garnered Crafton Tull Distinguished Scholar recognition.

Senior pitcher Kimmy Beasley was named GAC Newcomer of the Year and an All-GAC First-Team Pitcher, while senior first baseman Darian Harris and sophomore outfielder Brooke Goad claimed All-GAC First-Team honors as well. Junior pitcher Kaylee Garner received All-GAC Second-Team recognition as did junior designated player Maddie Dow.

Dow along with junior catcher Reagan Patterson and senior outfielder Kim Whelehon were named Crafton Tull Distinguished Scholars for owning a 3.70 GPA or better with at least 70 hours. First-pitch for Thursday's tournament opener at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville is slated for noon.

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 in Bentonville.

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Players Mentioned

#8 Kimmy Beasley: LHP; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; R/L

#44 Brooke Goad: OF; 5' 6"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/L

#5 Darian Harris: 1B; 5' 6"; Senior; L/R

#7 Kim Whelehon: OF; 5' 5"; Senior; R/R

#11 Reagan Patterson: C/UT; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#21 Kaylee Garner: RHP; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Kimmy Beasley
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior; R/L
: LHP

#44 Brooke Goad
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Sophomore; L/L
: OF

#5 Darian Harris
: 5' 6"; Senior; L/R
: 1B

#7 Kim Whelehon
: 5' 5"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#11 Reagan Patterson
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: C/UT

#21 Kaylee Garner
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: RHP