MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders clinched the series over the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers today winning both games.
 
Game 1
The Muleriders got the scoring started in game one plating one run in the bottom of the first inning as Jayden Hill singled through the right side to score Jaden Woolbright and SAU took a 1-0 lead. The Blue and Gold then extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning as Lee Matsuzaki collected his second single in as many at bats to score Peyton Ballard and SAU took a 2-0 lead.
 
The Tigers offense did not stay silent as they struck for three runs in the top of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. After a scoreless fourth for both teams the Tigers were unable to tack on in the top of the fifth and the Muleriders offense came to life again in the bottom of the fifth. Jaden Woolbright led the bottom of the fifth off with a hit by pitch and was immediately followed by Lee Matsuzaki who collected his third hit of the game with a double through the right side. Brandon Nicoll then came to the plate and singled through the left side to score Woolbright and knot the game at 3-3. Matsuzaki then came around to score as Jayden Hill grounded into a fielder's choice but was caught between first and second after trying to advance on an errant throw. After five complete innings, SAU led 4-3.
 
Ouachita's offense then found life in the top of the sixth inning plating two runs taking a 5-4 lead as the Muleriders were held scoreless in the bottom of the inning. The Tigers then extended their lead in the top of the eighth inning plating another run and after a scoreless bottom of the eighth for SAU, Ouachita took a 6-4 lead into the ninth inning. Austin Adair made quick work of the Tigers in the top of the ninth inning facing four batters and held Ouachita scoreless to set up a dramatic bottom of the ninth inning with SAU looking to make a tremendous comeback.
 
The bottom of the ninth began as Carter Claerhout grounded out giving SAU just two outs to work with. Grant Roosma then stepped to the plate and was hit on the first pitch giving the Muleriders a little life as Josh Phillips stepped to the plate. Phillips then walked in five pitches and kept the line moving for the Muleriders. The next batter would then strike out and the Blue and Gold were down to their last out. Lee Matsuzaki then came to the plate and with a 3-2 was hit by a pitch to load the bases and set the scene for Brandon Nicoll. Nicoll battled in his at bat and worked the count full to set the stage for the moment every baseball player dreams of. With two outs and a full count, Nicoll blasted a ball over the left field wall for a walk off grand slam to win the game for the Muleriders as they took game one in the series, 8-4.
 
Players of the Game
Jaden Woolbright: 2-for-3, two runs scored, one walk
Lee Matsuzaki: 3-for-4, two runs scored, one RBI
Brandon Nicoll: 2-for-5, one run scored, five RBIs, walk-off grand slam
Jayden Hill: 1-for-4, two RBIs
Austin Adair: one hit allowed, no runs allowed, fifth win of season
 
Game 2
The Muleriders offense opened the scoring up again in game two as the first six hitters all put the first pitch they saw into play. After a Jaden Woolbright leadoff groundout, Lee Matsuzaki collected his fourth hit of the day with a bunt single. Brandon Nicoll was then promptly hit by a pitch followed quickly by a Jayden Hill double down the right field line to score Matsuzaki as SAU took a 1-0 lead. Trace Shoup then promptly followed with a single into center field to score Hill and extend the lead, 2-0. The next two hitters then went down in order to finish the first inning.
 
Beau Leonards then took the mound in the top of the second for his second inning of work and struck out the side to give the Muleriders the momentum they needed. Ouachita did not let the SAU momentum last long knotting the game at 2-2 in the top of the third inning plating two unearned runs.
 
The Blue and Gold's bats then got hot once again in the bottom of the fourth inning as they retook the lead thanks to a Grant Roosma homerun blast down the right field line, 3-2. The Muleriders then capped off the scoring, extending their lead in the top of the sixth inning as Trace Shoup homered to dead center field giving SAU a 4-2 lead. SAU clinched game two of the series by a final score of 4-2.
 
The Tigers offense was unable to get much offensive rhythm going as Beau Leonards has himself a day on the mound. Leonards threw a seven-inning complete game allowing only three hits and surrendering only two runs both unearned while striking out 13 hitters and walking one person for the best performance of his Muleriders career.
 
Players of the Game
Trace Shoup: 3-for-3, one homerun, one run scored, two RBIs
Grant Roosma: 2-for-3, one homerun, one run scored, one RBI
Beau Leonards: Seven innings pitched, 13 strikeouts, one walk, two runs allowed, no earned runs
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back in action for game three of the series on Sunday, March 9th at 1:00 PM.