MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (30-18, 22-10) split the Friday doubleheader with the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (29-19, 20-12) winning game one by a final score of 3-2 and falling in the second game by a final score of 2-1.
 
Game 1
The Boll Weevils struck early in game one as Chaz Poppy homered to right field for the first runs of the game, giving UAM a 2-0 lead. The Muleriders were then held scoreless for the next four innings until they finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a two-out solo home run from Clay Burrows to cut into the Boll Weevil lead, 2-1.
 
The Blue and Gold then struck again in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brandon Nicoll crushed a solo shot to left field to knot the game at 2-2. After a scoreless bottom of the seventh for the Muleriders, the offense came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Clay Burrows did it again, hitting his second solo home run of the day over the right field wall to give SAU the lead, 3-2. Jeremy Adorno and the Muleriders' defense were able to hold UAM off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game, and SAU won game one, 3-2.
 
Game one saw scoring uniquely, as all of the game's five total runs came via the home run. Jeremy Adorno also had an amazing day on the mound. The senior in what might be his last game inside Walker Stadium gave up the early home run but bounced back quickly, throwing up eight consecutive zeros in a complete game effort. Adorno gave up six hits and just two runs in the outing while fanning eight Boll Weevil hitters. The complete game was also his third of the year and 15^th of his career, which tied him for fifth all-time in Muleriders history.
 
Top Performers
Clay Burrows: 3-for-3, two home runs, two RBIs, two runs scored
Brandon Nicoll: 1-for-4, one RBI, one run scored, home run
Jeremy Adorno: complete game, nine innings pitched, eight strikeouts, two runs allowed
 
Game 2
Game two began differently for the Muleriders as they would be the first to strike after a three-up three-down start to the night for Beau Leonards on the mound in the top of the first inning. The Muleriders came to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and Trace Shoup started the game off with a bang, smashing a double to right center field. With one out in the inning, Brandon Nicoll then stepped to the plate and delivered a single up the middle to score Shoup, giving SAU a 1-0 lead.
 
The Boll Weevils did not let the lead last long, though, as they plated two runs in the top of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. Meanwhile, the SAU offense was unable to catch any momentum despite collecting four total hits and a UAM error. The Boll Weevils were able to shut out SAU after their lone run in the first inning, and UAM took game two to set up the rubber match on Saturday.
 
Despite giving up two runs, Beau Leonards had a good day on the mound for the Muleriders. The senior southpaw tossed 5.2 innings, giving up just four hits, two runs, and striking out three hitters.
 
Top Performers
Brandon Nicoll: 1-for-3, one RBI
Trace Shoup: 1-for-3, one run scored
Beau Leonards: 5.2 innings pitched, three strikeouts, two runs allowed
Asher Hastings: 1.1 innings pitched, one hit allowed, two strikeouts
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will be back in action Saturday, April 26^th at 2:00 PM for the regular season and series finale against the Boll Weevils. Senior day festivities will be held prior to the start of tomorrow's game.