MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (24-13, 17-7) completed their sweep over the Harding University Bisons (26-11, 16-8). The series sweep moved the Muleriders into first place in the GAC standings as SAU now leads Harding by one game in the standings.
 
The Muleriders took game one of today's double header by a final score of 7-4 followed by a 3-1 nail biting victory in game three to complete the sweep over the Bisons.
 
Game 1
The Bisons broke the ice early in game one plating one run and taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Despite the pressure, Carter Gaston was able to wiggle out of the jam only allowing the lone run in the top of the first. After a scoreless bottom of the first and second inning for the Muleriders, the Blue and Gold knotted the game at 1-1in the bottom of the third inning as Trace Shoup got himself caught in a run-down allowing Brandon Nicoll to scamper home. After three complete innings the game was knotted at 1-1.
 
SAU then struck again in the bottom of the fourth inning taking the lead as Carter Claerhout led off the inning with a walk and was followed by back-to-back singles from Glynn Wilson and Grant Roosma. Roosma's RBI single put the Muleriders on top 2-1 after four complete innings. Harding knotted the game again in the top of the fifth inning, scoring one run and after four and a half innings the game was tied, 2-2.  
 
The bottom of the fifth inning was the turning point for the Blue and Gold as Glynn Wilson delivered a three-run home run over the right field wall to give the Muleriders a 5-2 lead. Grant Roosma then walked, and Peyton Ballard doubled into right field to score Roosma as SAU extended their lead, 6-2. The Muleriders then tacked on another run as Jaden Woolbright reached on a throwing error by the pitcher as Peyton Ballard scored the seventh run of the ballgame for SAU, 7-2.
 
The five run bottom of the fifth proved to be the difference in the game as the Bisons came to the plate in the top of the ninth inning and plated two runs. The Mulerider pitching staff proved to be too much for the Bisons as they held on to win, 7-4.
 
Despite the no decision for Carter Gaston, the right hander finished throwing 4.1 innings allowing two runs while striking out two hitters. Hayden Oglesby got the win on the mound for the Muleriders, throwing 4.2 innings allowing two runs and striking out three batters.
 
Top Performers
Glynn Wilson: 2-for-3, three-run home run, three RBIs, one run scored
Brandon Nicoll: 3-for-5, one run scored
Grant Roosma: 2-for-3, one RBI one run scored
Jayden Hill: 2-for-3, one run scored
Carter Gaston: 4.1 innings pitched, two strikeouts, two runs allowed
Hayden Oglesby: 4.2 innings pitched, two runs allowed, three strikeouts
 
Game 2
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, the Bisons struck first again in game two plating one run in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. Another scoreless inning for both teams in the third put some pressure on the Muleriders to respond fast with only seven scheduled innings in game two.
 
The Muleriders did in fact strike just one inning later as the Muleriders took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. A Brandon Nicoll walk to begin the inning proved to provide all the momentum SAU needed to have a crooked inning. Jayden Hill followed the Nicoll walk with a single to the third baseman which was immediately followed by a Trace Shoup double down the left field line to score Hill and Nicoll as SAU took a 2-1 lead. With two outs in the inning Grant Roosma capped off the scoring with a single to the shortstop to score Shoup as SAU took a 3-1 lead after four complete innings.
 
The fifth and sixth innings saw no score and the Bisons headed into the top of the seventh inning looking to keep their hopes alive. In the top of the seventh inning, the Bisons were able to put runners on first and second after a walk and a hit by pitch with no outs. The next hitter then struck out after leaning into a strike and the final out of the game was recorded as the Muleriders turned a double play to cap off the game.
 
Despite a rocky start for Beau Leonards, the southpaw was able to settle in by throwing five complete innings, allowing one run while punching out five hitters. Austin Adair came in and slammed the door on the Bisons throwing two innings allowing no runs and earning his fourth save of the season and second of the weekend.
 
Top Performers
Trace Shoup: 1-for-3, one run scored, one RBI
Grant Roosma: 1-for-2, two RBIs
Beau Leonards: Five innings pitched, one run allowed, five strikeouts
Austin Adair: two innings pitched, no runs allowed, one strikeout, save
 
Next Up
The Muleriders will have no rest this week as they head to Tyler, Texas to face-off against the seventh ranked University of Texas at Tyler Patriots on Tuesday, April 8^th at 4:00 PM.