MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The (RV) Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (25-14, 18-7) defeated the East Central University Tigers (12-27, 7-18) in comeback fashion by a final score of 6-3.
 
Early on it was a pitching duel as neither team was able to score a run throughout the first three innings of play. The Muleriders were finally able to breakthrough in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a Carter Claerhout walk and Glynn Wilson single to lead off the inning, Grant Roosma laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners and put the games first run just 90 feet away. Peyton Ballard then stepped to the plate and grounded out to the shortstop but collected an RBI as Claerhout came home to score, 1-0.
 
A scoreless fifth from both teams left the Muleriders needing a little insurance to feel comfortable even with Jeremy Adorno's already stellar performance on the mound. That insurance came in the bottom of the sixth inning as Trace Shoup extended the Mulerider lead with a leadoff home run as SAU took a 2-0 lead.
 
After six scoreless innings, the Tigers finally put their first runs of the game on the board scoring two and knotting the game at 2-2. The Muleriders were unable to answer in the bottom of the seventh and ECU took advantage taking the lead in the top of the eighth inning plating one run, 3-2. The Muleriders did not let the Tigers lead last long as they struck back in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Two quick outs to begin the bottom of the eighth inning left everyone on edge but Jaden Woolbright got some momentum going with a two out hit by pitch. Lee Matsuzaki stepped to the plate one batter later and smashed a home run to right field as the Muleriders retook the lead, 4-3. Brandon Nicoll then singled and was immediately followed by a Jayden Hill double allowing Nicoll to motor all the way around from first to score, 5-3. Trace Shoup then capped off the scoring in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single to centerfield as Hill came around to score and SAU took a three-run lead into the top of the ninth inning, 6-3. Austin Adair who entered in the middle of the eighth inning made quick work of the Tigers in the top of the ninth to secure the win for the Muleriders.
 
Jeremy Adorno had a great outing for the Muleriders tonight tossing 7.2 innings while allowing three runs and fanning a season high 12 batters.
 
With tonight's victory, Muleriders Head Coach Justin Pettigrew earned his 300th career win.
 
Top Performers
Lee Matsuzaki: 3-for-4, two RBIs, one run scored, home run
Trace Shoup: 3-for-5, two RBIs, one run scored, home run
Glynn Wilson: 2-for-4
Jeremy Adorno: 7.2 innings pitched, 12 strikeouts, three runs allowed
Austin Adair: 1.1 innings pitched, two strikeouts, win (7-1 record)
 
Next Up
The Muleriders are back in action tomorrow, April 11th for a doubleheader against East Central. First pitch of game one is set for 2:00 PM.