MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Ten pitchers saw action and the lead changed hands seven times during the finale of the SAU Softball Invitational as #5 Southern Arkansas outlasted Texas A&M-Commerce, 15-14 on Sunday afternoon at Dawson Field inside the Mulerider Softball Complex.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lady Mulerider offense struck in the first inning resulting in a pitching change for the Lions after facing the first six hitters in the SAU lineup.
• Brooke Goad tallied the first RBI of the game and her first homerun of the 2017 season with a solo shot to left center.
• Marina Duran followed her up with a 2-out single that scored Maddie Dow who reached base on a hit by pitch that gave SAU an early 2-0 lead over the Lions.
• A&M-Commerce captured the lead in the third inning after stringing together four hits that contributed to a 4-2 advantage for the Lions.
• SAU answered back in the bottom of the third with a 6-run inning that allowed them to reclaim the lead.  
• Jill Roye registered the first RBI of that inning with a single to left-centerfield that scored Goad who lead-off the inning with a single up the middle.
• Three Lady Muleriders crossed the plate safely after Megan Godoyo undoubtedly tanked a 2-2 pitch over left centerfield fence that brought the score to 6-4, SAU.
• SAU tacked on two additional runs following a throwing error that scored Duran, who reached base on a single up the middle. Faith Otts gapped a double to right-center to conclude the third inning with an 8-4 score.
• Commerce's fifth run came on a sacrifice fly by Kinsie Hebler that scored Tyler Oppenheim who reached base on an error.  
• After a pitching change for Southern Arkansas, Mariah Jameyson connected with a two-run homer to centerfield that pulled the Lions to within one run of SAU, 8-7.
• A two-run fifth inning on a passed ball and a walk credited the Lion's new 9-8 lead over SAU.
• With bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth for SAU, Dow blasted a 2-RBI double to the leftfield fence that put SAU on top again prior to an RBI single from Roye that cushioned SAU's lead to 11-9 going into the sixth inning.
• The Lions re-established the lead in the sixth inning with five runs scored on three hits to secure an 14-11 lead.
• SAU plated one run in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a bases loaded walk by Monica Islava that plated Duran.
• Starting pitcher Victoria Taylor retired the next three batters she faced in the top of the seventh to set up SAU's strong seventh inning.
• Otts' RBI single through the left side made it a one run game before Rachel Miller walked to load the bases for Islava who also drew a walk to tie the game at 14-all.
• Goad worked a full count with two outs resulting in a walk-off walk to boost the Lady Muleriders to their fourth victory of the tournament.

 
FOR SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
 

• SAU offense combined for 15 runs on 13 hits and 13 walks.
• Godoyo led the offensive matchup with 3 RBI's on one hit, and a pair of walks and two runs scored.
• Dow, Goad, and Islava combined for six of SAU'S 15 RBI'S.
• Dow, Goad, Duran, and Roye each had a pair of hits.
• Starting pitcher, Taylor, struck out eight of 26 batters faced.

 
FOR THE OPPOSITION

• Jameyson led the Lion offense with four RBI'S on three hits and three runs scored.
• Hebler and Rivers each registered a pair of RBI'S.  

 
UP NEXT

• The Lady Muleriders travel to Grand Prairie, Texas next weekend to play in the Lubbock Christian tournament. They are scheduled for a double header on Saturday, February 11 against Texas Women's University and Lubbock Christian University at 11 am and 1:30 pm. Live links are available at www.muleriderathletics.com.