DURANT, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (29-16, 21-9) split the double header losing game one by a final score of 8-7 and winning game two by a final score of 9-7 over the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storm (17-28, 13-17).
 
Game 1
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Savage Storm opened the scoring in a big way in the bottom of the second inning, plating six runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Both teams then remained scoreless until the top of the sixth inning when the Muleriders began to chip away. Trace Shoup opened the scoring for the Muleriders in the top of the sixth inning with a home run to right field, 6-1. Grant Roosma then walked, and Carter Claerhout smashed a double to right center field to score Roosma, 6-2.
 
The Muleriders then struck again in the top of the seventh inning as Glynn Wilson drew a one-out walk and Brandon Nicoll immediately followed with his fourth home run of the series to cut the deficit to two runs, 6-4. The Savage Storm did not stay quiet though, scoring their first runs since the bottom of the second inning with a two-spot in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead, 8-4. The top of the ninth saw drama unfold as Cole Clepper worked a leadoff walk and Jayden Hill collected a one-out single two batters later. Trace Shoup then stepped to the plate and belted his second home run of the game over the left field wall to pull the Muleriders within one run, 8-7. The Muleriders' rally was cut short by the Savage Storm pitching staff, and the Muleriders lost the game 8-7.
 
Top Performers
Trace Shoup: 3-for-5, two home runs, four RBIs, two runs scored
Brandon Nicoll: home run, two RBIs, one run scored
Carter Claerhout: 3-for-3, one RBI
 
Game 2
Game two of the series began in the same way with a scoreless first frame for both teams, but unlike game one, the Muleriders struck in a big way in the top of the second inning. Jayden Hill led the inning off with a single up the middle and was followed by a single into right field by Grant Roosma, but Roosma was thrown out trying to take the extra base and left Hill on third with one out. Carter Claerhout then stepped to the plate and joined the home run party with a big fly to right field as SAU took a 2-0 lead. One batter later, Josh Phillips doubled to right field and advanced to third on a ground out from Jaden Woolbright. Clay Burrows then drove in Phillips with a bunt single, 3-0. Lee Matsuzaki then stepped to the plate and joined the party with a home run of his own to right field as SAU took a commanding 5-0 lead. The Savage Storm plated one run in the bottom of the second inning, but after two complete, SAU held a 2-0 lead.
 
The Muleriders then struck again in the top of the third inning as Brandon Nicoll belted his fifth home run of the series to left center field, 6-1. After a one-out hit and back-to-back walks, Grant Roosma then extended the Blue and Gold lead, scoring on a wild pitch, 7-1.
 
Back-to-back hits by pitches from Lee Matsuzaki and Trace Shoup opened the top of the fourth inning with some momentum for the Muleriders. Brandon Nicoll then proceeded to single up the middle to score Matsuzaki, 8-1, and was immediately followed by a Jayden Hill single to right center as SAU jumped out to a 9-1 lead.
 
The Savage Storm did not let the Muleriders run away with the game as they began to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with three runs, 9-4. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Southeastern plated another three runs to scare the Muleriders, but the Blue and Gold held on to take the series and escape with a close win.
 
Top Performers
Carter Claerhout: 2-for-3, one run, two RBIs, home run
Lee Matsuzaki: 1-for-2, two runs, two RBIs, home run
Brandon Nicoll: 2-for-4, one run scored, two RBIs, home run
Jayden Hill: 2-for-4, one run scored, one RBI
Beau Leonards: five innings pitched, three strikeouts, six hits allowed
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back in action this Tuesday, April 22^nd, for a midweek contest in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as they face off against the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers at 3:00 PM.