MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (6-5, 2-1) clinched the series against the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison (6-4, 1-2) with a win today in a rubber match by a final score of 7-1.
 
Both pitchers settled in quickly as both teams put up zeros in the first two innings before the Muleriders would break the ice in the bottom of the third inning. Grant Roosma would lead off the inning with a double into left center followed by a sacrifice bunt from Tyler Abrego to put a runner on third with one out. Roosma would then score on a wild pitch to put SAU on top 1-0. Brandon Nicoll would then collect two RBIs with a single into left field scoring Trace Shoup and Peyton Ballard who both reached on singles of their own earlier in the inning. After three complete innings SAU led 3-0.
 
The Muleriders would strike again in the top of the fifth inning after a Peyton Ballard leadoff single and a Trace Shoup fly out to center field would set the stage for Lee Matsuzaki. Matsuzaki would step to the plate and hit his second homerun of the season to right center field to break the game wide open and put SAU on top, 5-0.
 
The Bison would crack the scoreboard in the top of the eighth inning plating one run but the Muleriders still led, 5-1. The Blue and Gold would answer the OBU run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Lee Matsuzaki would strike again with a double to left center field scoring Ballard, collecting another RBI. Brandon Nicoll would then hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Trace Shoup earning his third RBI on the day and putting SAU on top, 7-1. Caleb Sollars would come out for his second inning of work in the top of the ninth inning and slam the door on the Bison striking out the last two hitters to end the game and clinch the series win for the Muleriders.
 
Beau Leonards would draw the start on the mound today for the Muleriders and collect his first win behind a solid performance. Leonards would finish the game with seven complete innings pitched giving up two hits while fanning eight Bison hitters. Caleb Sollars would also have a good day on the bump in relief throwing two complete innings surrendering only one run on one hit while striking out three hitters.
 
The Muleriders offense also appeared to find their groove with nine total hits and seven runs along with four extra base hits.
 
Players of the Game:
Lee Matsuzaki: 2-for-4, one run scored, three RBIs, and one walk
Brandon Nicoll: 2-for-4 and three RBIs
Peyton Ballard: 2-for-3, three runs scored, and one walk
Trace Shoup: 2-for-4, two runs scored, and one walk
Beau Leonards: seven complete innings, two hits, eight strikeouts, no runs allowed
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will be on the road this weekend as they travel to Bethany, Oklahoma for a weekend series against the Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm. The three-game series is set to get under way with a double header on Friday, February 21st with the first pitch of game one slated for 12:00 PM. Game three of the series will be played on Saturday, February 22nd at 12:00 PM.