Arkadelphia, Ark. – The SAU Softball team split their first two games of the Alvy Early Memorial Classic today, dropping their first game 3-2 to Missouri-St. Louis before bouncing back with a 5-1 win over Maryville.

The Muleriders' offense was stifled in game one by Missouri-St. Louis pitcher Andee Tiffee, who recorded 17 strikeouts as the Muleriders only recorded two hits, which were solo home runs by Rachel Miller and Sarah Pitre.

Victoria Taylor picked up a no-decision in her start, pitching four innings, allowing six hits, two walks and two runs and striking out three batters. Taylor's two runs allowed came via a first-inning home run.
Brooke Ford-Nelson came in relief to pitch the final two innings, and allowed the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth, picking up her first loss of the season.

In game two, the Muleriders scored four of their five runs on one swing by Faith Otts. Christina Hill led off the fourth inning with a single, with Hallie Saintignan followed by reaching on a fielder's choice. Miller singled to load the bases, and after Sarah Evans struck out, Otts' big fly pushed across four runs, which proved to be the difference in this game.

Hill, who went 3-3 in game two, singled in the fifth run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Sydney Wader took the circle in game two, and threw 6.2 innings, allowing five hits, one run, and two walks while striking out eight batters. Wader got in trouble in the seventh inning and allowed her lone run after loading the bases. Ford-Nelson came in relief and struck out her only batter, picking up her first save of the season in the process.

The Muleriders are now 7-3 on the season. They return to action tomorrow in their second day of the Alva Early Memorial Classic to take on Emporia State and Northeastern State.