MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (6-5, 2-1) are set for a weekend series in Bethany, Oklahoma against the Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm (4-7, 0-3). The series' first pitch is set for Sunday, February 23rd with a doubleheader followed by a single game on Monday, February 24th.
 
Series History vs. SNU
The Muleriders currently lead the all-time series 26-7 over the Crimson Storm. The first meeting between the two teams came on March 19th, 2013, a 6-5 win for the Crimson Storm. The last meeting between SAU and SNU came on March 18th, 2024, a 2-1 win for the Crimson Storm in an 11-inning contest. Before their most recent loss to SNU, the Muleriders were riding a 12-game winning streak.
 
A Look at SAU
After falling in game one of last week's series against Oklahoma Baptist, the Muleriders found a way to rally picking up an extra-inning win in game two of the Sunday doubleheader by a final score of 4-3 setting the stage for a Monday rubber match. The Blue and Gold found their rhythm on offense with 10 hits in game three and winning by a final score of 7-1 to win their first GAC series of the year.
 
The Mulerider's pitching staff was on full display last weekend. Despite the loss in game one, Jeremy Adorno had an outstanding outing after walking in a run in the first inning, Adorno settled in on the mound putting up six scoreless innings, riding a no-hitter into the eighth inning before the Bison would score two runs off a double from DJ Van Atten. Jeremy would finish his day with 7.2 innings pitched, nine strikeouts, giving up only one hit. In game two of the Sunday doubleheader, Joshua Flaugher drew the start but would suffer an injury in the top of the second inning after getting hit by a line drive. Austin Adair came in to relieve for Flaugher and had a dominant performance throwing 6.2 innings, surrendering one run, while fanning seven Bison giving his offense enough time to win the game. Beau Leonards drew a start in the Monday rubber match and also had a dominant performance throwing seven complete innings while only surrendering two hits and striking out eight batters.
 
The offense also found their rhythm in games two and three of the series. Peyton Ballard came up with a clutch hit in the bottom of the eighth inning in game two to load the bases with two outs. Trace Shoup stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded working a walk to win the game for SAU. The Mulerider's offense then flexed their muscles in game three striking for seven runs on 10 hits. Lee Matsuzaki also hit his second home run of the season in the game as SAU cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Bison earning their first series win of the season.
 
Lee Matsuzaki still leads the Muleriders offense with a .386 batting average and 17 hits through 11 games this season. Matsuzaki also has a .429 on-base percentage which also leads the team. Brandon Nicoll currently sits second on the team with a .325 batting average and .942 OPS and 13 hits. Austin Adair currently leads the pitching staff with a 1.42 ERA and is 2-0 on the season. Jeremy Adorno leads the staff with 20 strikeouts and 18.1 innings pitched.
 
A Look at SNU
The Crimson Storm are currently riding a four-game losing streak after a weekend series with UAM saw them get swept by the number 23^rd-ranked team in the nation. SNU also went 1- 3 against Southwest Baptist University just one week prior. The Crimson Storm started hot with a 3-1 record picking up two wins over New Mexico Highlands University and splitting two games with Newman University.
 
Antonio Sabala currently leads the Crimson Storm offense with a .269 batting average and is locked in a three-way tie for the team lead with seven hits. Ryan Talley is second on the team with a .233 batting average and has seven hits. Christian Garcia leads the pitching staff with 11.2 innings pitched but holds a 6.94 ERA and is 1-2 on the season.
 
Broadcast Information
You can follow all this weekend's action live streamed on the SNU athletics YouTube page or with live stats. You can find links to both the live stream as well as live stats at Muleriderathletics.com.