MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas got their bounce back in a big way as the Muleriders clinch the series against Great American Conference foe Ouachita Baptist after winning both contests in the doubleheader. SAU defeated the Tigers in game one by a final score of 7-1 and in game two 10-0 to advance to 23-11 overall and 12-7 in league-play.
Game One
SAU W, 7-1
The Muleriders overcame Ouachita Baptist in game one after recording five hits and seven runs in which four were earned. Southern Arkansas recorded three of their runs due to a pair of errors by the Tigers defensively.
The Southern Arkansas batting was led by
Haley Nillen for the day as she accounted for two hits on three at-bats in game one. The Muleriders scored first as Nillen batted in
Regan Dillon from second on a double in the home half of the first inning. The sophomore scored her first of two runs in the outing which then came in the second as she was batted in by
Ariana Rolle for an unearned run. On the same at-bat, Rolle scored
Cassidy Lear from third base for an unearned run.
After hitting a lull scoring for a pair of innings, the Muleriders tacked on four more in the post-dance fifth starting with
Kamryn Moctezuma walking to home with the bases loaded. With bases still loaded,
Morgan McAlexander, in her first look in the batters box as Mulerider, singled into right center that then scored a pinch-running
Ava Dunn,
Gracie King, and
Bella Angelo on a throwing error from third base.
No more scoring was needed after McAlexander recorded the insurance runs as
Brinson Rogers accounted for her fifth double-digit strikeout day and her third 15+ strikeout contest. The Statesboro, Georgia native completed her eighth complete game this campaign with 15 strikeouts, four hits allowed, one run allowed (earned), one walk, and faced 26 batters.
Game Two
SAU W, 10-0
The following contest had no doubt who was coming on top as the Muleriders controlled the momentum for the four and a half innings played. Southern Arkansas accounted for 12 hits and ten runs in which five were earned. SAU scored in the first three innings with three, two, and five runs.
The Muleriders' 12 hits came from eight individual players as four accounted for a couple hits each (Rolle, Moctezuma,
Jenna Huey, King). Eight different SAU members also made it home for a run in which two (Rolle, Lear) scored a pair of runs each.
Rolle took charge in the Mulerider batting effort as the Marion, Iowa native recorded two hits on three at-bats with a pair of runs and one RBI. Rolle scored in both the first and third innings with a Huey at-bat as she earned her first run with her second being unearned.
Sydney Ward got the win in game two after pitching the first four innings to get her over the 100 innings played mark with 101.1. The Paris, Arkansas native pitched a shutout allowing six hits and waving six of the 18 batters she faced. Ward was relieved going into the fifth by
Corie Byrd would finished the contest while surrendering just one hit and no runs. Byrd completed the inning with two fly outs and one ground out.
On Deck
The Muleriders now look to get the brooms out against the Tigers as the two squads meet for the series finale inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex tomorrow (Saturday) at high noon.
