MAGNOLIA, Ark. – #9 Southern Arkansas answered a three-run top of the third inning by Southwestern Oklahoma State with three runs of their own in the home half of the third, but the Bulldogs would score 11 of the game's final 14 runs in a 14-6 victory on Monday afternoon in the Great American Conference series finale from Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field. It is the first series loss by the Muleriders this season and puts the team's league record at 9-3.
 
SAU recorded 11 hits in the defeat as the four, five and six spots in the lineup, which were occupied by Josh Walker, Cooper King, and Justin Hanlin, respectively, all recorded two hits and an RBI with Walker also scoring twice. Jansen McCurdy delivered a pair of RBI with the first coming on a sacrifice fly in the third inning and the other coming on a solo home run in the eighth inning; the senior's third homerun of the season.
 
Mulerider starter Tanner Vaught (2-1) went 4.0 innings and allowed six earned runs, while striking out four. Five relievers followed which included the Stubber brothers, Austin and Nathan, and the pair combined to allow just one hit and an unearned run over 2.1 innings, with the former picking up a pair of strikeouts.
 
The Muleriders are back in action on Wednesday, barring any weather which would force changes, in a 6 p.m. first-pitch with Henderson State from Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field. Live coverage links for the nonconference affair are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.