MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders travel this weekend to Arkadelphia, Arkansas for a pivotal three game series against the Henderson State University Reddies. The three-game series is set to kick off Saturday, March 29th with a double header beginning at 2:00 PM. Sunday, March 30th will see the final game of the series be played starting at 1:00 PM.
The two teams meet this weekend separated by only one game in the conference standings. The Muleriders are currently ranked second in the conference standings with a 12-6 record trailing only Harding who boasts a 16-3 conference record. Meanwhile the Reddies sit in fifth place only one game behind the Muleriders with an 11-7 conference record.
Series History
The Muleriders currently hold a 96-39 overall record against the Reddies. HSU won the first meeting between the two teams this season in a midweek shootout on March 18th, a 15-10 Reddies win. The Muleriders will certainly look to redeem the loss with a major series win this weekend in Arkadelphia.
A Look at SAU
SAU comes into the weekend with a 19-11 overall record and are 12-6 in conference play. The Muleriders are riding high right now as they are winners of their last four contests picking up a huge series sweep in Walker Stadium over Southwestern Oklahoma State University followed by a big midweek win over the No. 14 ranked Delta State University Statesmen. With their win over the Statesmen, the Muleriders are 2-1 versus ranked opponents this season and are 2-0 at home in Walker Stadium. Their lone loss came against the No. 11 ranked Missouri Southern Lions in the first game of the season at Majestic Park.
Lee Matsuzaki currently leads the hot Muleriders offense with his .365 batting average and 46 hits. Lee is also the team leader in doubles (13), RBIs (32), total bases (72), and runs scored (26). The power has also come on for the Muleriders offense this season as
Brandon Nicoll leads the team in home runs with seven followed by
Trace Shoup (6),
Grant Roosma (6),
Jayden Hill (5),
Jack Roubik (3), and
Lee Matsuzaki (3). The Blue and Gold as a team have belted 38 home runs so far this season through 30 games.
Austin Adair remains the clubhouse leader for the pitching staff boasting a 3.13 ERA and a 6-1 record.
Jeremy Adorno leads the team in innings pitched (49.1), strikeouts (55), and shutouts with one.
Carter Gaston has also been impressive on the mound moving into the game three starting role. Gaston has made three starts this season boasting a 2-0 record, along with 32 strikeouts. Gaston has proved to be a force when needed in the crucial rubber match games.
A Look at HSU
The Reddies come into the weekend also on a hot streak as they are winners of their last five contests, a streak that began with the 15-10 defeat of the Muleriders on March 18th. Since their meeting, HSU swept Southern Nazarene as well as picked up a midweek win over UAM on Tuesday.
The Reddies lead the conference in team batting average (.315), hits (318), RBIs (209), total bases (497), runs scored (245), and doubles (65). The Reddies offense has proved to be one of the most explosive offenses in the GAC and will look to continue that against the Muleriders this weekend.
Luke Farrar currently leads the Reddies offense with his .392 batting average. Farrar also leads the team in hits (47), RBIs (36), slugging percentage (.683), doubles (9), and total bases (82). Jeremy Schork leads the team in home runs with 10 so far this season. Cole Rodriguez currently leads the pitching staff with a 3.68 ERA and 4-0 record. Rodriguez has also totaled 31 strikeouts through 44 innings pitched while allowing 35 hits and four home runs.
Broadcast Information
Streaming and live stats links for this Tuesday's contest can be found
here.
