PARIS, Texas – The Southern Arkansas University softball team opened up Great American Conference play on Sunday afternoon with two wins over Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The Muleriders only allowed one run on the day, as they took down SWOSU 6-0 in game one followed by a 4-1 victory in game two. SAU moves to (9-8, 2-0 GAC) on the year, which includes five straight wins in their last five outings.
SAU 6, SWOSU 0
The Muleriders drew first blood in the bottom of the third inning as
Alyssa Miller was able to plate
Alese Casper on a sac fly after she led off the inning with a triple to left field.
SAU had a big fourth inning as they were able to push four runs across with the first coming off of the bat of
Jaxynn Dyson as she hit a solo homerun to give SAU a 2-0 lead. After a
Taylor Murphy single and a
Madison Miller double into right field,
Mariah Hamilton was able to drive in both runners on a single to right field. Casper would follow Hamilton with her second three bagger of the game and score after
Jade Miller knocked her in on a triple of her own to make the score 5-0. The Muleriders would plate one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning as
Sarah Evans blasted a solo homerun into the wind over the left field wall.
Casper led SAU with three hits while
Jade Miller collected two. Hamilton led the Muleriders with two RBI while
Jade Miller, Evans, Dyson and
Alyssa Miller all had one.
SAU was in control from the start thanks to transfer pitcher
Kiana Pogroszewski, who had a career day for the Muleriders in game one. The right hander from Bossier Parrish Community College tossed a complete game shutout while striking out 10 batters. Pogroszewski only allowed two hits in the outing while also walking two in route to pick up her third win of the season.
SAU 4, SWOSU 1
SWOSU was able to get on the board first in game two in the top of the third inning, but it would be the only time they got on the board, as
Baylie Thornhill and
Macie Welch were able to shut down the Bulldogs after allowing the first run.
The Muleriders only needed one big inning in game two as they posted all four of their runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Uchenna Jong Loy reached base on a single up the middle to get the inning started and would be pinch ran for by
Viviana Zarzoza.
Madison Miller was able to move Zarzoa to second on a single to centerfield. After Hamilton reached base on a fielder's choice to load the bases, Casper would clear the bases on a double into left center to give SAU the 3-1 lead.
Jade Miller was able to bring home Casper on a single through the right side to push the score to 4-1.
Thornhill got the start in the circle and went 4.0 innings while striking out eight batters. She allowed five hits and one run while only walking one batter. Welch came on in relief and pitched the final 3.0 innings as she earned her first career win in the circle. Welch struck out two batters and allowed two hits.
SAU will close out the series with SWOSU tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 p.m.
