MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (15-11, 9-6) to the Henderson State University Reddies (13-13, 8-7) in a non-conference midweek shootout as the Reddies rallied to win 15-10.
Henderson State got the scoring started in the top of the first inning hitting two home runs to take a 2-0 lead while holding the Muleriders scoreless to lead 2-0 after one complete inning. The Blue and Gold then rallied in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead.
Trace Shoup led off the inning with a double to left field. The Muleriders offense then quickly worked the bases loaded and
Peyton Ballard delivered with a single into left field to score Shoup, 2-0.
Jaden Woolbright then stepped to the plate and delivered the big blow in the inning with a bases-clearing double into left-center as SAU took a 4-2 lead.
The Muleriders then extended their lead in the bottom of the third inning plating a run thanks to a sacrifice fly to center field from
Carter Claerhout to score
Jayden Hill, 5-2. The Blue and Gold then continued the offensive display in the bottom of the fourth inning as
Carter Claerhout collected two RBIs with a double down the left field line and SAU advanced to a 7-2 lead.
The Reddies finally responded in the top of the fifth inning plating three runs but after the top of the fifth inning, SAU still held a 7-5 lead. The Muleriders then responded in the bottom of the inning as
Lee Matsuzaki doubled down the right field line scoring
Jaden Woolbright and
Peyton Ballard but was thrown out at third trying to advance on the throw. One batter later,
Brandon Nicoll stepped to the plate and hit a mammoth homerun over the left-center field wall as SAU took a commanding 10-5 lead.
The big inning for the Reddies came in the top of the seventh inning as they were able to retake the lead with nine runs in the top of the seventh behind two SAU errors and a couple of timely hits. After being held scoreless in the bottom of the seventh inning, HSU led, 14-10.
Henderson then added on an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning for a 15-10 lead. The Muleriders were unable to score after the seventh inning and Henderson took the game.
Despite the loss, the Muleriders were able to find offense, scoring 10 runs and collecting 11 total hits.
Top Performers
Peyton Ballard: 2-for-3, two runs scored, one RBI
Jaden Woolbright: 2-for-5, one run scored, three RBIs
Carter Claerhout: 1-for-4, three RBIs
Lee Matsuzaki: two RBIs
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back in action this weekend as they host the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs for a three-game conference series. First pitch is set for Friday, March 21st at 3:00 PM.
