MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mikel Howell capped off Friday's Great American Conference doubleheader against Northwestern Oklahoma with a complete game, three-hit shutout of the Rangers which followed seven quality innings from fellow arm Jeremy Adorno in the series opener and the arm action was accompanied by a 17-hit day at the plate for the Muleriders who took both ends of the twin bill by scores of 4-2 and 1-0 from inside Walker Stadium at Goodheart Field.

Howell (7-2) faced just three over the minimum in the seven-inning affair as two-out singles in the second, sixth and seventh innings were the only blemishes in an outstanding effort that included four strikeouts. In the sixth, a throwing error set the stage for the potential tying run to cross for the Rangers but a strong throw by Will Richardson to Grant Roosma resulted in a tag at the plate for the third out to keep NWOSU off the scoreboard.

One-out singles by Trace Shoup and Brandon Nicoll in the first inning put early runners on in support of Howell, before Jaden Woolbright responded with two outs by placing an RBI-single into the opposite field to plate Nicoll for the contest's lone tally.

In the opener, Adorno (5-4) fired 7.0 innings working around seven hits and three walks to scatter two runs with six strikeouts and the effort was upheld by a relief appearance from Sean Sieve who pitched the final two frames striking out five of the six batters he faced to earn his second save of the campaign.

NWOSU struck for a third-inning run off of Adorno, but SAU answered in the home half as a groundout by Shoup chased home Mikey McGinnis to even the opener at 1-1. In the fourth, Carter Claerhout singled through the right side with two outs to score Roosma and McGinnis followed with a base hit into left field to plate Chris Lyles and give SAU a 3-1 lead.

A key insurance run was added in the next inning as Richardson delivered a sacrifice fly to score Shoup who led off the frame with a double and was promptly moved to third on a groundout by Nicoll.

Lyles and McGinnis each recorded three hits in the opener with McGinnis notching a pair of doubles. Both scored a run. Clay Burrows followed with two hits. Woolbright recorded the only RBI needed in the nightcap.

The two clubs meet on Saturday at high noon for game three. Stay up-to-date with any potential changes to the schedule due to weather by visiting www.MuleriderAthletics.com or following Mulerider Athletics on social media.