ALVA, Okla. – After clinching the Great American Conference series on Friday with a pair of two-run wins, #18 Southern Arkansas finished off Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon from Myers Stadium as the Muleriders used an outstanding relief effort from true freshman Parker Abrego and a go-ahead sacrifice fly from the bat of junior Zach Muldoon in the seventh inning to claim a 6-5 victory and the series sweep, while improving to 8-1 in league play through the first three weekends of conference action.
 
The Muleriders (13-4, 8-1 GAC) collected nine hits and led 4-0 after their first two trips to the plate which were highlighted by a two-out, run-scoring double by junior Justin Hanlin. But the Rangers responded in the bottom half of the second inning as they plated four runs on four hits, while stranding two base runners against SAU starter Tanner Vaught.
 
Vaught induced a fly out to centerfield to limit any more damage in the second, but NWOSU would tack on its final run of the game in the home half of the third to take a 5-4 lead.
 
An RBI single by junior Austin Baker scored Dakota Wright to tie the game at 5, and after the Rangers placed runners at second and third with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Abrego entered and promptly ended the threat to hold the game at 5 runs apiece.
 
Muldoon's one-out sac-fly in the seventh proved the difference as it backed Abrego who finished his second career appearance by allowing just two hits over the course of 5.1 innings, while fanning three. He worked around four runners in scoring position over the course of his stints, including two innings with a Ranger at third as he earned his first career win.
 
Baker finished with three hits and junior Cooper King added a pair. Freshman Brett McGee scored two runs. The Muleriders walked six times and stole three bases in the win.
 
Southern Arkansas turns its attention to a midweek tilt with former Gulf South Conference foe and perennial power Delta State in an important regional contest that brings the country's #1 ranked team to Magnolia. The Muleriders and Statesmen meet inside Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field for a 5 p.m. first-pitch on Tuesday, March 5. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.