HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (0-1, 0-0) fell on opening day to the Missouri Southern University Lions (1-0, 0-0) in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The Lions were able to break the ice early bursting out to a 5-0 lead after the top half of the first inning then tacking on another three-runs to take an 8-0 lead after three innings.
Stetson Bishop came into the game on the mound for the Muleriders with one out in the third inning and was able to put up three innings of shutout baseball as the SAU offense was able to chip away at the Lions lead scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and another two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning making it a four-run ballgame after five complete.
After the fifth inning the Muleriders offense would stall out in the wake of the Lions defense and Missouri Southern would go on to add to their lead winning by a final score of 14-4 in eight innings.
Despite the loss, SAU was able to strike for seven hits against the Lions pitching staff who threw six shutout innings tonight.
Top Performers:
Trace Shoup: 2-for-4 and two runs scored
Tyler Abrego: 2-for-3 and one run scored
Jayden Hill: Three RBI
Stetson Bishop: 3.2 innings pitched, three strikeouts, three runs allowed
Next Up:
The Muleriders will return to action for game two of the Dugan Invitational Saturday, February 1st at 1:00 PM against the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. You can watch all the action at LiveBarn.com or through livestats on the Mulerider Athletics website.
