MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (14-8, 8-4) defeated the No. 4 ranked University of Texas at Tyler Patriots (19-6, 19-5) by a final score of 8-6 in today's midweek contest.
 
The Muleriders struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Jayden Hill singled through the right side to score Jaden Woolbright and put SAU on top early, 1-0. Trace Shoup then followed with a hit of his own dumping a single into left field to score Matsuzaki and extend the Muleriders' lead to 2-0.
 
After a scoreless second inning for both teams, the Patriots finally broke onto the scoreboard in the top of the third inning with a two-run home run to knot the game at 2-2. The Muleriders then answered right back with back-to-back home runs first from Carter Claerhout as he hit a two-run shot over the right field wall which was then followed by Jack Roubik crushing a ball over the left-center field wall, 5-2. The Patriots then cut into the lead again in the top of the fifth inning with another homerun of their own but after five and a half innings, SAU still led 5-3.
 
The Muleriders answered back in the bottom of the seventh inning thanks to a Lee Matsuzaki triple that drove in Jaden Woolbright and Grant Roosma giving the Blue and Gold some insurance over the Patriots. The Blue and Gold then found another insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Grant Roosma reached on a fielder's choice allowing Trace Shoup to score and the Muleriders took an 8-3 lead into the top of the ninth inning.
 
The Blue and Gold's late insurance runs proved to be needed as the Patriots hit a three-run home run for their third of the day in the top of the ninth inning to make it a two-run ball game. Sean Sieve then slammed the door on the Patriots' comeback hope and SAU came away with a big-time win extending their win streak to four games.
 
Stetson Bishop collected his second win of the year on the mound throwing five innings allowing three runs while fanning five hitters. Asher Hastings made his first appearance of the year for the Muleriders throwing three and a third innings in relief allowing two runs, punching out three hitters.
 
Top Performers
Lee Matsuzaki: 2-for-2, one run scored, two RBI, two walks, one hit by pitch
Trace Shoup: 2-for-4, two runs scored, one RBI
Carter Claerhout: Two-run home run, one run scored, two RBI
Jack Roubik: Homerun, one RBI, one run scored
Stetson Bishop: five innings pitched, five strikeouts, no walks
Asher Hastings: First appearance, 3.1 innings pitched, three strikeouts
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back on the road this weekend as they travel to Alva, Oklahoma for a three-game series against Northwestern Oklahoma State University. The series gets underway on Friday, March 14th with a doubleheader starting at 3:00 PM followed by a single game on Saturday, March 15th at 12:00 PM.