MAGNOLIA, Ark. – #9 Southern Arkansas used a three-run sixth inning in Sunday afternoon's seven-inning game two to split the Great American Conference doubleheader with Southwestern Oklahoma State from Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field. The Muleriders dropped the opener 7-4, but bounced back and used the aforementioned sixth inning to top the Bulldogs 6-5 and set up a rubber match on Monday at noon. Live coverage links for game three are available at
www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
In the opener, the Muleriders (14-6, 9-2 GAC) led 4-2 through four innings of action, but the Bulldogs scratched a run in the fifth inning, added three runs in the eighth inning to take the lead and pushed across an insurance run in the ninth inning. SWSOU (10-9, 6-5 GAC) took advantage of five SAU errors in the series opener.
Southern Arkansas starter
Garrett Walker scattered eight hits and four runs, three of which were earned, over seven innings. Walker struck out seven batters and left with the lead, before the Bulldogs managed to push across four runs over the final two innings off of Mulerider reliever
Matt Kortendick (L, 3-1).
Josh Walker produced half of SAU's six hits in the opener with a run scored and an RBI. Walker's RBI single opened scoring for the Muleriders in the bottom of the first inning, while a two-out, two-run blast from
Dakota Wright put the Muleriders up 4-2 in the fourth inning after an RBI groundout from the bat of
Justin Hanlin tied the game at 2 with two outs in the fourth.
In game two,
Austin Baker collected three hits, while his bunt single in the sixth inning began the rally as an errant throw plated
Devin Beard. Baker would advance to third on a wild pitch and with two outs scored on a fielder's choice in
Cooper King's at bat which plated two runs and staked Mulerider reliever
Parker Abrego to a two-run lead to begin the seventh inning. Southern Arkansas took advantage of five SWOSU errors in the second game.
Abrego worked 1.2 innings in relief of SAU starter
Hunter Brantley who went 5.1 innings with six strikeouts. Brantley dispersed ten hits which plated four runs. Abrego earned his second win of the season as the Muleriders put themselves in a position to win their fourth GAC series of the season.
