ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – All six of Southern Arkansas' hits went for extra bases and all seven runs crossed in either the sixth or seventh innings as the Muleriders rallied to knock off host (4) Henderson State in the opening round series of the Great American Conference Tournament and advance to next week's final four from Dickey-Stephens Park, home of the Double-A Arkansas Travelers, in North Little Rock. The Muleriders will face the series winner between (1) Arkansas-Monticello and (8) Oklahoma Baptist at 1 p.m. on Thursday. Live coverage links, in addition to the league's tournament central, are available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.
Mikel Howell earned his league-leading ninth win of the season after tossing 6.2 innings scattering nine hits and three walks. HSU plated three runs in the home half of the first inning off of Howell, but the lengthy right-hander would allow only four more hits, none of which went for extra bases, over the next 5.2 innings. He retired nine-straight Reddie batters from the second through fifth innings.
Micah Burke, in just his fourth appearance of the season and first since March 29, relieved Howell with the bases loaded in the seventh and proceeded to fan Luke Rice to end the threat and keep the Muleriders' lead intact. Austin Adair worked the final two innings pitching around two baserunners in the eight and limiting a leadoff double in the ninth.
Brandon Nicoll jumpstarted Southern Arkansas in the sixth with a two-out, two-run home run out to center field, his 13th of the season and 10th multi-RBI game, to cut into the Reddies' lead at 3-2. Trace Shoup walked, his 20th straight game to reach base safely, to set the table for Nicoll. That momentum from that blast carried over into the pre-stretch seventh as the Muleriders orchestrated a five-run frame on three hits and a throwing error which led off the inning.
Jaden Woolbright reached on the miscue to start the seventh, advanced to second on a free pass to Grant Roosma and the pair were promptly chased home as Mikey McGinnis doubled down the left field line to give the Muleriders a 4-3 lead. The lead would not be relinquished, but Southern Arkansas continued to supply run support as Jackson Duke doubled to put runners at second and third. Chris Lyles followed with a double off the wall scoring McGinnis and Duke and putting SAU up 6-3. The seventh run crossed in the next at bat as Clay Burrows lifted a pitch to centerfield to score Lyles who advanced to third on the throw in his at bat.
Half of SAU's hits and five of the seven runs were produced in that seventh inning, while Nicoll's blast in the sixth accounted for one more hit and SAU's other two runs in the contest. The lone base knock not to occur for the Muleriders in the sixth or seventh inning came off the bat of Roosma with one out in the fifth inning.
