MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Mulerider Softball squad took the weekend series from the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm after splitting the day two double header this afternoon. The Storm claimed game one 3-2 while the Muleriders were able to grab the series win with a 1-0 win in game two. Southern Arkansas improves to 22-8 on the season and 10-4 in conference action while the Crimson Storm falls to 16-15 and 5-9 in GAC play.
GAME ONE
Southern Arkansas Notes
*Sydney Ward turned around from her win yesterday evening to pitch 6.0 innings that saw one earned run on five hits this afternoon. Maci McJunkins took over responsibilities inside the circle in the seventh inning where the freshman faced only the three required batters, striking out one. McJunkins took efforts into the eighth inning where she allowed the game-winning run on one hit.
*Cassidy Lear recorded two hits in the first game on Saturday and additionally scored both runs. Haley Nillen saw the solo RBI on the afternoon on her one hit.
*Southern Arkansas found themselves on the board in response to the two-run Southern Nazarene third inning. Cassidy Lear began the inning with a single to right center and was advanced to scoring position on a Jaxynn Dyson single up the middle. Alyssa Miller nocked a sacrifice bunt that advanced the duo of baserunners a single base. Nillen singled to left field to plate SAU's first run of the day that cut the Crimson Storm lead to a single run.
*The Muleriders notched a leadoff single off the bat of Cassidy Lear to begin the bottom of the fifth inning. A well hit ball out into center field by Alyssa Miller allowed Lear to take home all the way from first base and score the tying run.
Southern Nazarene Notes
*Katelyn Woodard and Olivia Hernandez combined efforts inside the circle for the Crimson Storm. Woodard tossed the first 3.o innings where she saw one earned run on four hits. Hernandez took care of the final 5.0 innings, allowing zero earned runs on three hits and two walks. The duo combined for four strikeouts.
*Kennedy Sherer singled to center before she was quickly advanced to third on a Liana Heshiki single. The first SNU run was scored on a RBI groundout by Sydney Sundbye and number two was plated on a throwing error by the SAU first baseman.
*Consecutive bunts from Sundbye and Natalie Jones gained the Crimson Storm runners at first and second with nobody out in the top of the eighth. Emma Swearingin laid down a sacrifice bunt that allowed the two base runners to both find themselves in scoring position with just a solo out on the board. Hailey Evans reached first on a fielder's choice that allowed Sundbye to score the game winning run.
GAME TWO
Southern Arkansas Notes
*Thornhill tossed all 7.0 innings for the Muleriders in game number two of the Saturday afternoon double header. Thornhill scattered five hits and dealt just one walk while striking out four.
*Miller, Storey, Dyson and Moctezuma each recorded a hit with Dyson accounting for the solo RBI.
*The Muleriders plated the one and only run of the contest in the bottom of the third on a Dyson single to center that scored Miller from second.
Southern Nazarene Notes
*Janie Worthington tossed all 6.0 innings for SNU in game two where she allowed one run on four hits while striking out eight.
The Muleriders will continue their season next weekend in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The teams will begin their conference series on Friday with one game at 5 p.m. Live coverage links will be available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
