MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The streaking Southern Arkansas University Muleriders will make the long drive up to Alva, Oklahoma for a three-game series against the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers.
 
Series History
The Muleriders currently lead the all-time series history over the Rangers with a 28-7 overall record. The first meeting between the two squads came on February 2nd, 2013, a 9-3 Muleriders win. The most recent meeting between the Rangers and Muleriders came on April 19th, 2024, a 1-0 win for the Blue and Gold. The Muleriders are also currently riding a three-game winning streak over the Rangers.
 
A Look at SAU
The Blue and Gold head into the weekend series on a four-game winning streak after previously sweeping Ouachita Baptist last weekend with the help of two walk-off winners then taking down the fourth-ranked team in the nation in the UT-Tyler Patriots by a final score of 8-6. The Muleriders boast a 14-8 overall record and an 8-4 conference record which ties them for second place in the GAC.
 
Brandon Nicoll played hero for the Muleriders in game one of the series with a mammoth walk-off grand slam to secure the 8-6 victory in game one of the series over Ouachita Baptist. Beau Leonards then had a career day in game two of the series throwing seven complete innings while striking out 13 Tigers and allowing only two runs with neither earned. Jayden Hill then completed the sweep of the Tigers with his walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth in the series finale. On Tuesday, the Muleriders faced off against No. 4 UT-Tyler for a midweek contest. The Blue and Gold were able to upset the Patriots by a final score of 8-6 thanks to some timely hitting and two home runs, one coming from Carter Claerhout and one from Jack Roubik. The win over the Patriots kept the Muleriders winning streak alive and extended it to four games.
 
Lee Matsuzaki still leads the Mulerider offense with a .380 batting average through 22 games played. Matsuzaki also leads the team in hits (35), total bases (58), doubles (10), slugging percentage (.630), and OPS (1.078). Trace Shoup ranks second on the team in batting average with a mark of .343 and is tied for the team lead in home runs with five. Jayden Hill leads the offense with 22 RBIs this season along with being tied for the team lead in home runs with five while also posting a .329 batting average.
 
A Look at NWOSU
The Rangers come into the weekend series with a 14-10 overall record and a 5-7 record in conference play. The Rangers won two of three games this past weekend against the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm. They then defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State in a midweek by a final score of 12-2.
 
Connor Green leads the Rangers' offense with a .424 batting average and 36 total hits this season. Hagen Barcello also provides offensive firepower for NWOSU boasting a .366 average and is tied for the team lead in homeruns with four. Will Kates currently leads the Rangers' pitching staff with 34.2 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.86. Kates has racked up 23 strikeouts this season but has also walked 11 batters.
 
Broadcast Information
Streaming and live stats links for this weekend's contests at NWOSU can be found here.