MAGNOLIA – In an all-important double-header that carries GAC Tournament implications,
Tucker Burton's two-run home-run, an absolute missile over the right field fence, gave the Muleriders a victory in game one over Oklahoma Baptist.
Jacob Martinez worked a 10-pitch at-bat off Oklahoma Baptist closer Brett Biggs, eventually singling up the middle to represent the tying run.
The Bison started the scoring in the first inning, with the Muleriders responding in the same inning through a Burton RBI single.
The Bison scored runs in both the second and third innings to take a 3-1 lead before a
Mason Peterson double scored
Brett McGee to pull a run back.
The Muleriders took the lead in the fifth inning when
Kobe Morris and Martinez walked and
Tucker Burton was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
McGee drew a walk of his own to drive in a run. A
Ty Manning infield single gave the Muleriders the lead, and
Zach Muldoon doubled the lead on a sacrifice fly.
Runs in the seventh and eighth innings for the Bison put them back on top before Burton's blast gave the Muleriders a hard-earned victory.
Parker Abrego picked up the win, pitching two innings in relief of
Zach Smith, who struck out four in seven innings.
Game two was much smoother sailing for the Muleriders, despite the Bison putting up a two-spot to start things off.
Martinez's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first pulled a run back before a five-spot in the second inning put the Muleriders back into the ascendency.
A Manning single and walks from Muldoon and Peterson loaded the bases before
Riley Orr drove in a pair of runs to give the Muleriders the lead.
Morris matched his shortstop with a 2-RBI single of his own before scoring on a Martinez RBI single.
Manning grounded out to score a run and
Austin Baker drove in a run on a sacrifice fly in the next frame to put up a pair of run; Martinez scored on a wild pitch one inning later.
Baker doubled to score Orr to kick off a four-run inning fifth inning; Burton and McGee hit RBI doubles and Manning added an RBI single.
Jacob Womack improved to 5-0 on the season, pitching six innings, only allowing two runs and four hits while striking out eight.
John Dawson, making his collegiate debut, came in relief for the final inning, striking out two Bison batters.
The Muleriders are now 21-8 on the season and 17-6 in conference play. They go for the sweep tomorrow at 1 p.m.
