MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders are back on the road this week as the Blue and Gold prepare to make a trip to Monticello, Arkansas for a midweek showdown on Tuesday, April 1st between the two teams tied for second in the conference standings. First pitch in Monticello is set for 6:00 PM.
 
Series History
The Muleriders and Boll Weevils will square off for the 113th edition of the Battle of the Timberlands on Tuesday, April 1st at 6:00 PM. The first-ever meeting between the two teams came on March 12th, 1991, a 7-3 Mulerider victory. The most recent meeting between the two squads came on May 9th, 2024, a 3-2 win for the Boll Weevils. The most recent meeting also saw UAM end the Muleriders season as the game came in the GAC Tournament in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
 
A Look at SAU
The Muleriders are riding high, coming off of a big series win over Henderson State this past weekend taking two out of three games from the Reddies in Arkadelphia. Last week also saw the Blue and Gold pick up their second win over a ranked opponent this season as they defeated the No. 14 Delta State University Statesmen in a midweek contest. The Muleriders now sit firmly in second place tied with UAM with a 14-7 conference record.
 
Grant Roosma had a fantastic weekend at the plate for the Blue and Gold. The senior from Austin, Texas went 8-for-12 at the plate with three doubles and two home runs, one of which gave the Muleriders the lead in the top of the seventh inning in game three against HSU. Roosma also recorded no strikeouts in four games and collected eight RBIs through four games.
 
Lee Matsuzaki is still the clubhouse leader for the SAU offense with his .360 batting average. Lee also leads the team in RBIs (34), total bases (77), and doubles (14). Trace Shoup follows closely behind Matsuzaki as he is hitting .333 and leads the team in OPS with a mark of 1.004 and slugging percentage (.602). Brandon Nicoll and Grant Roosma are now tied for the team lead in home runs with seven each after Roosma mashed two home runs this weekend. The Muleriders offense currently leads the GAC in triples with 14.
 
Austin Adair currently leads the team in ERA with a 2.88. Adair also picked up his second save of the season as he came in to close out game three of the Henderson series. Jeremy Adorno had another great game on the mound as he tossed seven innings and only allowed one run while striking out nine batters. Jeremy leads the pitching staff in several categories, innings pitched (56.1), strikeouts (64), batting average against (.223), and shutouts (1). Adorno also ranks second in the GAC in strikeouts (64) and strikeouts looking (23).
 
A Look at UAM
UAM is coming off of a big series win over the top-ranked team in the GAC, the Harding Bisons, after taking two of three games. After dropping game one of the series, the Boll Weevils stormed back with a 10-1 win in game two and a 5-4 13-inning victory in the rubber match. The Boll Weevils have played a challenging schedule this season as they opened up at the Houston Astros Winter Invitational which saw them finish with a 2-1 record collecting wins over Mississippi College and No. 3 Central Missouri. The Boll Weevils have had their setbacks in conference play as the GAC preseason favorites boast a 14-7 conference record.
 
Justin Santoyo leads the UAM offense with his .386 batting average through 27 games played. Chaz Poppy follows closely behind with a .377 batting average. Poppy leads the offense with 49 hits and 74 total bases. Maxim Mrakovcic leads the UAM pitching staff with a 2.85 ERA and two complete games along with his 6-1 record. Connor Irvine leads the staff in strikeouts with 42 and innings pitched with 51.1.
 
Broadcast Information
Streaming and live stats links for this Tuesday's contest can be found here.