SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (5-5, 2-1 GAC) completed their series against the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison (3-5, 1-2 GAC), winning the Monday rubber match to take the series two games to one for their first conference series win of the season.
 
The first two innings of today's game began much like game two of yesterday's doubleheader, as both pitchers got to work early, each pitching two scoreless innings despite a little bit of traffic on the base paths from both sides. Tate Elliott stepped to the plate in the top of the third inning and broke the ice with a leadoff home run to center field off the batter's eye to put SAU up 1-0. The Bison responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with a run of their own to tie the game 1-1 after four complete innings. Another run in the bottom of the fifth inning for OBU put the Bison up 2-1, with the Muleriders due up in the top of the sixth inning.
 
A pitching change for the Bison to start the inning saw Jordan Owns reach on a throwing error by the shortstop, then advancing to second as the ball skirted away from the first baseman, as the Blue and Gold applied pressure. Jacob Lang then stepped to the plate and singled to center field, moving Owns to third, setting the stage for Christian Gutierrez. Gutierrez then delivered another big fly for the Muleriders as he crushed a ball to dead center field for a home run to score three runs as SAU notched the first crooked inning of the ballgame and retook the lead, 4-2. Preston Smith then scored on a wild pitch later in the inning to put SAU up 5-2 before heading to the bottom of the sixth. A scoreless bottom of the sixth for OBU followed by a scoreless seventh and eighth for both teams saw the Muleriders come to the plate in the top of the ninth with a chance to earn some insurance runs. With one out in the inning, Jordan Owns worked a walk and quickly stole a base to put a runner in scoring position for Jacob Lang. Lang then delivered his third hit of the day by way of a double into left center to score Owns, 6-2. Christian Gutierrez was then hit by a pitch, and Tate Elliott walked as SAU continued to apply pressure. Glynn Wilson then delivered on a sacrifice fly to left field as Jacob Lang scored along with Gutierrez, as there was a fielding error by the third baseman on the throw in. The insurance in the top of the ninth was all the Muleriders needed as Hayden Oglesby closed the game out, earning his first win of the year in his first appearance of the year. The senior threw 4.2 innings, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out six batters.
 
Top Performers
Jacob Lang: 3-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 walks
Christian Gutierrez: 1-for-4, 3 RBI, 2 runs, home run
Tate Elliott: 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 walk, home run
Hayden Oglesby: 4.2 innings pitched, 0 runs, 6 strikeouts, 2 hits
 
Up next
The Muleriders will return to action tomorrow, February 17th, as they travel to Russellville, Arkansas, for a midweek matchup with Arkansas Tech University. First pitch is set for 4:00 p.m.