MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (8-5, 4-1 GAC) clinched their series against the Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm (4-9, 0-5 GAC) behind two walk-off wins.
 
Game 1
The Muleriders got the scoring going early in game one after a three up three down inning from Carter Gaston, the SAU offense came to bat. With one out, Preston Smith doubled into left field and was immediately followed by a Wyatt Fielding single up the middle to score Smith as SAU jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Feilding worked his way around the bases stealing a bag then advancing on a wild pitch. Michael Herndeon then flew out to left field earning a sacrifice fly as Fielding scored, 2-0.
 
The Crimson Storm responded in the top of the second with three runs of their own to retake the lead, 3-2. A scoreless bottom of the second followed by scoreless third and fourth innings from both teams led to a big fifth for both squads. SNU came to bat in the top of the fifth and scored five runs ballooning their lead, 8-2. The Muleriders did not go away quietly though as they plated three runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth. A Jordan Owns triple to leadoff the fifth was followed by Owns scoring one hitter later as Preston Smith grounded out. Wyatt Fielding and Michael Herndon then scored after a sacrifice fly by Ayden Slott followed by a single from Christian Gutierrez as SAU trailed 8-5 after five complete.
 
SAU pulled closer in the bottom of the sixth inning as Caleb Johnson scored on a Wyatt Fielding double after walking to lead off the inning. Michael Herndon then singled into right center to score Fielding and Owns as the Blue and Gold knotted the game at 8-8. A scoreless seventh and eighth for both squads and top of the ninth for SNU saw SAU come to bat with a chance to walk it off. Christian Gutierrez reached first on an error with one out in the inning and was followed by a Tate Elliott single through the right-side advancing Gutierrez to third. Caleb Johnson then stepped to the plate and collected his first career collegiate hit rifling a single up the middle to score Gutierrez and the celebration was on as the Muleriders won by a final of 9-8.
 
Top Performers
Wyatt Fielding: 3-for-4, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI
Jordan Owns: 2-for-5, 2 runs scored
Michael Herndon: 3-for-4, 3 RBI, 1 run scored
Caleb Johnson: 1-for-3, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
 
Game 2
SAU began game two with a dominate performance by Nate June striking out the side in the top of the first as the offense stayed hot in the bottom of the frame. With one out in the bottom of the first, Preston Smith singled through the right side then stealing second to set up SAU to strike first. Wyatt Fielding delivered the first blow with a single through the left side to score Smith as SAU took a 1-0 lead. From there both teams pitchers went to work putting up goose eggs on the scoreboard until the top of the fourth. Nate June carried a no hitter into the top of the fourth inning but it was broken up as the Crimson Storm found some momentum with a walk and single to kickstart their offense. A couple more hits and RBI walks in the inning led to the Crimson Storm taking a 4-1 advantage after the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Wyatt Fielding came to the plate and stayed hot with a leadoff triple to left field Michael Herndon then singled up the middle scoring Fielding as SAU began to chip away, 4-2.
 
The Crimson Storm tacked on another run in the top of the fifth taking a 5-2 lead. SAU then stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and again chipped away as Caleb Johnson doubled with one out to set up a scoring opportunity for the Blue and Gold. With two outs, Preston Smith came to the plate and singled into right field scoring Johnson as SAU pulled closer, 5-3. The bottom of the sixth saw the Muleriders put another run on the scoreboard inching closer as Luke Noack recorded a pinch-hit single to score Ayden Slott who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning, 5-4. A scoreless top of the seventh for SNU set SAU up with a chance to walk it off again in game two. With the top of the order due up for the Blue and Gold, Preston Smith was hit by a pitch with one out and quickly stole second giving Wyatt Fielding a chance to tie the game. Fielding popped up in his at bat as SAU was down to their final out of the game still trailing by one. Michael Herndon stepped to the plate and was intentionally walked passing the torch to Jacob Lang. Lang then worked a walk to load the bases as Ayden Slott came up with a chance to be the hero in game two. Slott delivered with a single into center field for the first hit of his SAU career scoring Herndon and Smith and the Muleriders emerged victorious again by a final of 6-5.
 
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 2-for-3, 2 runs scored 1 RBI
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-3, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
Ayden Slott: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will conclude their series against Southern Nazarene tomorrow, Saturday, February 21st. First pitch of game three is set for 1:00 p.m.