MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas began their three-game weekend series versus the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm with a 4-3 win at the Dawson Field this afternoon. The teams will return to the Margaret Downing Softball Complex for a double header beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow. Live coverage links will be available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
Southern Arkansas Notes
*Sydney Ward saw 4.1 innings of work in the Friday afternoon matchup. The sophomore allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. Baylie Thornhill took over relief responsibilities, tossing the final 2.2 innings where she allowed zero runs on two hits.
*The Muleriders only saw two hits on the afternoon- a single from Dyson and a grand slam dinger from King.
*After falling into a slump following a hot start to the season, Gracie King smoked her sixth home run of the season to put the Muleriders on the board in the bottom of the third inning. Dyson drew a walk to gain SAU their first base runner of the inning. A fielding error by the second baseman allowed Dyson to advance to second and Miller to reach first safely. The duo advanced to scoring position on a passed ball before Haley Nillen drew a bases loading walk. Gracie King's shot to left field came as a grand slam that gave the Muleriders a four-run advantage over the Crimson Storm.
Southern Nazarene Notes
*Three SNU athletes recorded multiple hits on the day in Sydney Sundbye, Natalie Jones and Emma Swearingen. Jones was the solo athlete to record multiple RBI in the afternoon effort.
*Janie Worthington and Olivia Hernandez split pitching efforts taking 3.0 innings each. Worthington's outing saw three earned runs on two hits and three walks. Hernandez allowed zero runs while also holding the Muleriders hitless. They combined for eight strikeouts.
*The Crimson Storm made a three-run dent in the Mulerider four-run lead in the fourth inning. Liana Heshiki began offensive efforts for the Storm with a single to center field, before Noa Dodson took over pinch running responsibilities. Sydney Sundbye doubled to place both base runners in scoring position. They weren't on base long as Natalie Jones singled up the middle to score the duo. Jones was plated on an Emma Swearingen double to center, representing the third and final run of the inning.