MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Southern Arkansas Softball is back at Dawson Field inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex this weekend as the Muleriders are saddled in for their Great American Conference series against in-state foe Henderson State for a Saturday-Sunday series.
Series History
The Muleriders lead the Reddies in the all-time series with a record of 63-38. While being in the same conference, Southern Arkansas still leads with a 55-31 record against the group from the Clark County ravine. SAU has been victors against the Reddies for the last seven outings and the Blue and Gold has won the last eight regular season series against HSU.
A Glance at the Muleriders
February 24, that was the last day the Muleriders have added a tally to the right column of their overall record as Southern Arkansas have been victors in their last 16 outings with the group's last loss coming against the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm in the league-opening series after the Muleriders had already clinched the series. Since then, the Blue and Gold have yet to be on the losing end and have finished half of their winning streak in run-rule fashion.
The Muleriders' ace in the circle this season has been Brinson Rogers as the senior from Statesboro, Georgia native has recently been named to the Central Region's NFCA DII Pitcher of the Year Watchlist with six Great American Conference Pitcher of the Week and three NFCA DII Pitcher of the Week honors under her belt. Rogers continues to lead the conference in multiple categories from the circle while also being one of the nation's, not just DII, best pitchers this campaign. The Peach State native is the NCAA-leader for victories (18) and shutouts (11) while also ranking in the top three of the association for strikeouts with 173 (3rd NCAA). Rogers has been a key reason for the Muleriders' winning ways as the senior has accounted for 12 of the Muleriders' last 16 triumphs with her last lost coming against SNU in that series finale. The senior's overall record this season currently sits at 18-2. Rogers' campaign ERA accumulates to 0.79 and is the GAC's only sub-1.00 earned run average with the next lowest being Southern Arkansas' Kassie Rhodes with a 1.39 in her nine appearances.
At the plate, the Muleriders have been led by their catcher Sophia Stoddard as the Bountiful, Utah native has put together a .333 batting average with her team-leading 30 hits along with her six doubles and a pair of home runs on the season. The top batter with runners on base has been Kelsie Adams as the Van Alstyne, Texas native is responsible for batting 24 runs this season with a team-leading six home runs (tied with America Rubio).
A Glance at the Reddies
Henderson State currently sits at 16-15 overall and holds a 5-12 record in the Great American Conference. After sweeping their first GAC series of the season against Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-0, 8-6, 4-3/8), the Reddies have yet to win a league series after being swept twice this season against Harding and SNU while also losing their first doubleheader against Ouachita Baptist.
Jersey Cabana has been the Reddies top arm this campaign with a 1.84 ERA and a 7-2 record in her 15 appearances. In her 61.0 innings pitched, Cabana has surrendered 45 hits, 20 runs (16 ER), eight walks, five home runs, and has struck out 34 batters. Leading the staff in strikeouts has been Brooke Johnson with 45 this season.
Boasting a .376 BA and leading the Reddies in hits is Hilary Akers who has recorded 38 hits, 21 runs, ten doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 26 RBI. Akers is currently slugging .614
Broadcast Details
Streaming and Live Stats links for Mulerider Softball's contests against Henderson State can be found at www.MuleriderAthletics.com/coverage.
