MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (17-11, 11-6) claimed victories in both games of the doubleheader today to claim the series over Southwestern Oklahoma State University (16-10, 7-9).
 
Game 1
The Bulldogs opened up the scoring in game one of the doubleheader by plating two runs in the top of the first inning and taking a 2-0 lead. After a scoreless bottom of the first for the Blue and Gold, SWOSU extended their lead in the top of the second inning scoring another two runs to take a commanding 4-0 lead after one and a half innings.
 
The Muleriders then cut the deficit to one in the bottom of the second inning. Carter Claerhout collected his first double of the game shooting a ball into the left-center field gap with two outs to get the momentum going for SAU. Jack Roubik immediately followed with a walk and Grant Roosma was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Peyton Ballard then stepped to the plate and yanked a double down the left field line clearing the bases and igniting the SAU offense. After two complete SWOSU led 4-3.
 
After a scoreless top of the third and fourth inning for the Bulldogs, the Muleriders struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning as Lee Matsuzaki delivered a single into right field scoring Grant Roosma and Peyton Ballard for SAU to take the lead, 5-4. Brandon Nicoll then extended the SAU lead with a double off of the center field wall to score Matsuzaki and Woolbright opening up a 7-4 lead after four complete innings.
 
The Bulldogs would not go away quietly as they managed to tie the game in the top of the fifth inning with three runs, 7-7. Both teams then saw scoreless sixth and seventh innings until the Muleriders finally broke the silence in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jack Roubik stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning and crushed a moon-shot home run down the left field line giving the Muleriders an 8-7 lead after eight complete innings. Stetson Bishop then trotted out to the mound in the top of the ninth inning and shut the Bulldogs down only surrendering a walk as the Blue and Gold took game one by a final score of 8-7.
 
Top Performers
Jack Roubik: 1-for-2, two runs scored, go ahead homerun
Grant Roosma: 2-for-3, two runs scored
Peyton Ballard: 1-for-2, three RBIs, one run scored
Lee Matsuzaki: 2 RBI
Brandon Nicoll: 2 RBI
Stetson Bishop: three innings pitched, two hits allowed no runs allowed, three strikeouts, win
 
Game 2
The Bulldogs broke the ice again in game two plating one run in the top of the first inning for a 1-0 lead. The Muleriders did not take long to get their offense going in game two as Lee Matsuzaki collected a one-out ground-rule double into left field. Brandon Nicoll then followed with a home run to left center field putting the Blue and Gold on top 2-1. Jayden Hill then walked and scored one batter later as Trace Shoup delivered a triple to right field, 3-1. Carter Claerhout then scored Shoup one batter later as he grounded out allowing Shoup to scamper home, 4-1.
 
SWOSU then responded in the top of the second inning with one run to cut the deficit to two runs, 4-2. The Muleriders then matched the Bulldogs, scoring a run in the bottom of the second inning. Peyton Ballard led off getting hit by a pitch and then proceeded to steal second and third then scored on a wild pitch with two outs and extended the SAU lead once again, 5-2.
 
The Muleriders then put up another crooked number in the bottom of the third inning as Trace Shoup led off with a single to the shortstop sparking the offense. Shoup quickly swiped second base and then third and Jack Roubik delivered a single to center field, scoring Shoup from third, 6-2. Grant Roosma then stepped to the plate one batter later and crushed a home run over the center field wall as SAU took an 8-2 lead.  Lee Matsuzaki then rounded out the scoring with an RBI single up the middle to score Jaden Woolbright, 9-2.
 
The Bulldogs did not go away quietly as they scored one run in the top of the fifth and sixth innings and the teams headed to the bottom of the sixth with SAU leading 9-4. The Muleriders then rounded out the scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning as Trace Shoup doubled to left center field and was immediately followed by Carter Claerhout as he doubled down the left field line to score Shoup and extend the Muleriders' lead yet again, 10-4. Grant Roosma then stepped to the plate with two outs and delivered a double of his own into the left-center field as Claerhout came around to score, 11-4.
 
Austin Adair entered the game in the top of the seventh inning and slammed the door on the Bulldogs facing only four batters and not allowing a hit as SAU took game two of the series by a final score of 11-4.
 
Top Performers
Brandon Nicoll: 1-for-3, two RBIs, homerun
Trace Shoup: 3-for-4, one RBI, three runs scored, double, triple, single, two stolen bases
Lee Matsuzaki: 2-for-4, one RBI, one run scored
Grant Roosma: 2-for-4, home run, three RBIs
Carter Claerhout: 2-for-4, two RBIs, one run scored
Jack Roubik: 2-for-3, one RBI, one run scored
Peyton Ballard: two stolen bases
Beau Leonards: six innings pitched, five strikeouts
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, March 21st for the series finale against the Bulldogs. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.