CLINTON, Miss. – #2 Southern Arkansas manufactured early offense, used quality starting pitching and relied on efficient bullpen work to top #25 Mississippi College 4-1 on Tuesday afternoon from Frierson Field. Senior Kobe Morris cranked a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, sophomore Jacob Womack allowed just one hit over three-innings of work, while freshman Kade Garmany and senior Matt Kortendick combined to pitch the final six innings to limit the Choctaws to just two hits and run offensively. The victory improves the Muleriders' overall record to 13-2 on the season.
 
Sophomore Ty Manning recorded three of SAU's nine hits on the afternoon and was responsible for a pair of the team's four stolen bases. Morris opened scoring as he deposited a 2-2 pitch from Choctaw starter Bryce Lewis out to right field for a two-run shot that plated senior Austin Baker. Baker was a catalyst for the Muleriders' third run as he engineered a run-down which allowed freshman Chris Lyles to score from third in the fifth inning.
 
In the seventh, Baker grounded out to the shortstop with the infield playing in to score sophomore Riley Orr as SAU answered MC's lone run of the game which came via a leadoff home run in the fifth inning.
 
Womack faced ten batters and fanned three, while five of his recorded nine outs in the stint came via a groundball. Garmany, who picked up the win, tossed four innings in relief and allowed just two hits and a run, while Kortendick worked the final two innings as he faced the minimum to earn the save.
 
Southern Arkansas returns to Great American Conference play this weekend at home as the Muleriders host Northwestern Oklahoma State in a three-game series beginning Friday, February 28 at 6 p.m. Saturday's twin bill is slated for a 1 p.m. start. Live coverage links are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.