MAGNOLIA – The SAU Softball team returned to winning ways on Friday in a double-header against Henderson State, with a run-rule victory in game one followed by a shutout in game two.
The Reddies started the scoring in the first inning of game, scratching a run across. The Muleriders would respond in the bottom of the frame with an
Alese Casper RBI single before
Sarah Evans cleared the loaded bases with a double to left center.
Laina Suesue would push a run across in the next inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly.
With the score 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Muleriders exploded for seven runs in the inning to give them 12 runs, their first time scoring double digits since doing so against Delta State on January 30
th.
The scoring in the fourth frame started with a Suesue RBI single;
Jaxynn Dyson would score from third during the next at-bat on a throwing error by the Reddies catcher trying to throw out a stealing Suesue.
Faith Otts would then double to the left center gap to drive in her catcher; a Reddies pitching change saw
Elisa Favela and
Alese Casper hit back-to-back homeruns; and, the final run was scored via a
Makana Morton sacrifice fly.
The Reddies would pull two runs back on starter
Sydney Wader, but the senior would improve to 5-3, throwing a complete game, allowing three hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out two.
The Muleriders carried their momentum into the second game, though they were unable to break through on the scoreboard until the third inning against Reddies pitcher Leann Beasley, younger sister of former SAU pitcher
Kimmy Beasley.
Back-to-back walks for
Maeson Grace and Morton were then followed by a single by Dyson.
Suesue would drive in a run on a groundout and with two outs in the inning, Favela doubled to right centerfield to drive in a pair of runs to make it 3-0.
Christina Hill and Evans led off the fourth inning with a single and a double, respectively, before both were driven in by Grace to make it 5-0. Grace would score on a Dyson RBI single to make it 6-0.
The Muleriders would tack on the final run in the next frame through a Hill homerun, her second of the season.
Victoria Taylor picked up her seventh win of the season, throwing six innings while only allowing four hits, one walk and one hit batter while striking out nine.
The Muleriders are now 12-6 on the season and 9-4 in conference play. They go for the sweep against the Reddies tomorrow, with first pitch scheduled for high noon.
