HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (1-1, 0-0) defeated the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions (1-1, 0-0) in Hot Springs, Arkansas on day two of the Dugan Invitational.
 
The Lions and Muleriders were locked in a pitching duel for the first four innings until the Muleriders were able to break through in the top of the fifth as Grant Roosma grounded out to the first baseman driving Jaden Hill in from third to give SAU a 1-0 lead.
 
The Muleriders would then extend their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Lee Matsuzaki would come to the plate with one out and triple to left field providing a much-needed spark to the SAU offense. Jayden Hill and Jaden Woolbright then both drew walks to load the bases with one out. Grant Roosma would then step to the plate and deliver a double down the right-field line scoring Matsuzaki and Hill collecting two RBI's. Tyler Abrego would then ground out to second base scoring Woolbright from third and the Muleriders took a 4-0 lead.
 
The Blue and Gold would strike again in the top of the ninth inning for another three runs. Jaden Woolbright provided a spark yet again to the SAU offense after getting hit by a pitch with two outs. Grant Roosma quickly followed working a walk and advanced both runners off of a balk. Tyler Abrego then struck out swinging on a dropped third strike but reached first safely as the Lions never tagged Abrego and he would work his way around the diamond to score securing three runs for the Muleriders to extend their lead, 7-0.
 
The Lions were able to scratch one run across in the bottom of the ninth inning to avoid the shutout, but the Muleriders would emerge victorious securing their first win of the 2025 campaign.
 
The Muleriders pitching staff was on full display today as Jeremy Adorno earned his first win of the season tossing six shutout innings and collecting seven strikeouts. Austin Adair would follow throwing one and two-thirds scoreless innings. Caleb Sollars would then come in for an inning and a third to collect his first save of the season after entering with the bases loaded in the eighth inning. The Lions only earned run of the day would come off of an error in the ninth inning as the Muleriders were able to showcase their deep pitching staff.
 
 
 
Top Performers:
Grant Roosma: Three RBIs
Lee Matsuzaki: 2-for-4 and one run scored
Trace Shoup: 2-for-3
Jeremy Adorno: Six innings pitched, seven strikeouts, zero runs allowed
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will return to action for game three of the Dugan Invitational on Sunday, February 2nd at
1:00 PM against the Washburn University Ichabods at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
You can watch all the action at LiveBarn.com or through livestats on the Mulerider Athletics website.