ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (4-4, 0-0) fell to the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos (6-2, 0-0) despite a late inning comeback attempt for the Muleriders by a final score of 10-8.
 
The Muleriders would continue their first inning hot streak again today, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. A leadoff walk from Jayden Hill followed by a single from Trace Shoup would put runners in scoring position for Lee Matsuzaki. Matsuzaki would take advantage of the opportunity with a single to right field to score Hill from second. A wild pitch with one out would score Trace Shoup and Jaden Woolbright would put the ball in play grounding out to the shortstop to bring Matsuzaki in to score as the Muleriders would take a 3-0 lead. As they had done all weekend, the Bronchos would answer right back taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning with four runs of their own and after one complete UCO would lead 4-3.
 
The Bronchos extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning with another two runs to take a 6-3 lead after two complete. SAU would get one run back in the top of the third inning as Jayden Hill led off with a triple to right center. Trace Shoup stepped to the plate and grounded out to the shortstop to score Hill and cut into the Bronchos lead, 4-6.
 
UCO would strike again in the bottom of the fourth inning with another two runs, 8-4. Both pitching staffs went to work after the bottom of the fourth inning as neither team was able to score until the Bronchos plated two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning taking a 10-4 lead.
 
The Muleriders entered the top of the ninth inning looking to mount a comeback. Lee Matsuzaki led off the inning with a single up the middle and was immediately followed by a walk from Brandon Nicoll. Jaden Woolbright then stepped to the plate and singled through the right side to load the bases with no outs. After a pitching change for UCO, Josh Phillips would step to the plate and crush a homerun down the right field line to pull the Muleriders within two runs injecting life into the offense. The Blue and Gold would get two more runners on base with a chance to score in the top of the ninth inning and tie the game but were unable to push anymore runs across and fell just short.
 
Top Performers:
Lee Matsuzaki: 2-for-4, two runs scored, one RBI
Josh Phillips: Grand slam in the top of the ninth
Jayden Hill: Two runs scored and a triple
 
Next up:
The Muleriders will conclude their nine-game road trip this week with a trip to Cleveland, Mississippi to play Delta State University on Tuesday, February 11th at 3:00 PM. SAU will then return home for the first time this season to open Great American Conference play against the Bison of Oklahoma Baptist in a three-game series beginning with a double header on Friday, February 14th.