ARKADELPHIA, Ark. — After moving the start time not once, not twice, but three times this weekend for the Muleriders' third contest with Ouachita Baptist, Southern Arkansas finally got its third game in against the Tigers, but the two squads had to move the game across the ravine onto Dee White Field on the campus of Henderson State University due to field conditions from the weather.
To cap off the long-awaited series finale, Team 27 claimed the series sweep after run-ruling the Tigers 9 to 1 for the group's second series sweep this season and a tied spot at the top of the league (8-1). For the weekend, Southern Arkansas run-ruled Ouachita Baptist in all three contest with a final weekend score of 29 to 1.
Vs. Ouachita Baptist (9-0)
Southern Arkansas began the scoring from the very beginning as with one out and a runner (Jocelyn Ulrich) on second, American Rubio brought the boom for her fourth home run of the season and a tie for the team-high with Jenna Huey.
The Muleriders ended the hot and early start up 2-0 going into the bottom half of the inning, which saw Jaycie Hall get the start in circle for her second appearance of the weekend. While giving up a lead-off hit, the senior quickly shifted gears and saw the next batters go down while having Sophia Stoddard, the catcher, catch the lead-off batter, Jordyn Merrett, stealing second for Stoddard's fifth runner being caught attempting to steal this campaign.
After a scoreless second inning from both, the Muleriders brought the heat back to the bats with Kelsie Adams torching a ball for a three-run home run to score Regan Dillon, Rubio, and herself. Without much time to breathe in-between at-bats, Stoddard steps to the plate and knocks out a dinger of her own over the right centerfield wall for the 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
After forcing a three-up-three-down inning in the bottom third, neither team was able to produce in the fourth just like the second.
In the fifth however, the Muleriders looked to end the game early just like their previous two inquiries with OUA. To start it off, Rubio singled up the middle which was followed by a single up the middle by Savannah Clausen. The bases were then juiced as Adams walked to first on a 4-0 count. The first out of the inning came by throwing out Stoddard at first from second, but not without Rubio scoring for the 7-0 score. Soon after Huey accounted for a sacrifice fly out to score Clausen for the 8-0 score. Payton Owens then batted the ball to the pitcher and reached first while also advancing Adams to third. The final run of the game for SAU was brought to you by Cassidy Lear as the senior singled to the shortstop to score Adams for the 9-0 lead.
The Tigers would finally hit pay dirt in the series in the bottom of the fifth, but thanks to Lear's insurance RBI, the Muleriders ended all three games in run-rule fashion.
Players of the Game:
Jaycie Hall: Four Ks, one run allowed
America Rubio: 2-for-3 batting, three runs, two RBI, a walk, and a two-run home run
Kelsie Adams: 1-for-2 batting, two runs, three RBI, a walk, and a three-run home run
Sophia Stoddard: 1-for-3 batting, one run, two RBI, and a home run
Next Up:
Southern Arkansas is back inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex this next weekend as Team 27 is set face Northwestern Oklahoma State for the three-game Great American Conference series.
