MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The (RV) Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (26-15, 19-8) defeated the East Central University Tigers (13-28, 8-19) in the game three rubber match after losing game two of the series to clinch another series win for the Muleriders.
Game 1
The Tigers got off to a hot start in game one of today's double header scoring two runs off of a home run to take a 2-0 lead. After a scoreless second and third inning for both teams, ECU struck again in the top of the fourth inning with another two runs to take a 4-0 lead. The Muleriders responded in the bottom of the fourth inning as Brandon Nicoll led off with a single to left field and quickly stole second. Trace Shoup then singled to the short stop and Carter Claerhout doubled to left center to bring home both Nicoll and Shoup as SAU cut into the lead, 4-2.
The Tigers were not done scoring as in the top of the fifth inning they plated another run to take a 5-2 lead. After a scoreless bottom of the fifth for the Blue and Gold, ECU responded with seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 12-2 lead. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Muleriders began to chip away as Trace Shoup homered down the left field line, 12-3. Carter Claerhout quickly doubled down the right field line and Glynn Wilson singled into center field to score Claerhout, 12-4. Despite some momentum in the sixth, the Tigers wiggled out of the inning only allowing two runs. SAU continued to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning as Clay Burrows doubled down the left field line and Lee Matsuzaki singled into centerfield to score Burrows, 12-5. The Muleriders then plated one more run in the bottom of the ninth as Lee Matsuzaki hit an RBI single into right field to score Burrows. Despite their best efforts, the Muleriders fell short to the Tigers by a final score of 12-6.
Top Performers
Lee Matsuzaki: 2-for-4, two RBIs
Trace Shoup: 2-for-4, one RBI, two runs scored
Carter Claerhout: 2-for-3, two RBIs, one run scored
Game 2
The rubber match began much like game one of the double header as the Tigers plated one run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. A scoreless bottom of the first inning for SAU forced Beau Leonards to lock in on the mound as he threw up a zero in the top of the second. The momentum proved to be all the Blue and Gold needed as they responded in the bottom of the second inning.
Jayden Hill led the bottom of the second off with a single through the right side. Hill then quickly stole second and was followed by a Trace Shoup walk to put runners on for Carter Claerhout. Claerhout then proceeded to work a 10-pitch walk to juice the bases with no outs. Grant Roosma then reaches on a fielder's choice scoring Hill and collecting an RBI, 1-1. Clay Burrows then stepped to the plate and laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Shoup from third as SAU took a 2-1 lead.
The one run advantage proved to be all the Muleriders needed to collect the win in the game. After giving up just one run in the first inning the Muleriders pitching staff settled in throwing up zeros the rest of the way. Beau Leonards collected his fifth win of the season throwing five complete innings allowing just one run while fanning five Tiger hitters. Austin Adair again came in to shut down the ECU offense and threw two complete innings allowing no runs while striking out two hitters and earning his fifth save of the season.
Top Performers
Jayden Hill: 2-for-3, one run scored
Clay Burrows: 1-for-1, one RBI
Grant Roosma: one RBI
Beau Leonards: five innings pitched, one run allowed, five strikeouts, win
Austin Adair: two innings pitched, no runs allowed, save
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back in action on Tuesday, April 15th for a midweek contest against the Mississippi College Choctaws. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM.
