BETHANY, Okla. — Mulerider Softball (15-2 | 2-1 GAC) wrapped up week one of Great American Conference action with a series win against the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm (6-8 | 1-2 GAC). The 10th-ranked Muleriders won the series after splitting the series doubleheader on Saturday, with SAU falling in game two and Team 28 winning game three in run-rule fashion.
Vs. SNU | Game Two (L, 9-4)
Game two of the series saw the Muleriders fall for just the second time this season. The Blue and Gold saw three pitchers make an appearance in the circle, as Kassie Rhodes got the start, but would be relieved for Addie Morris after an inning. Morris then pitched for the next inning and a third before being relieved for Corie Byrd, who pitched for the remainder of the game.
Southern Nazarene started the scoring in the second game of the series with a ground out to bat in a runner from third after a double to put two runners in scoring position, 1-0.
The top half of the second saw a quick turnaround from the Muleriders, as Kelsie Adams started the half inning with a single down the left field line, but was then thrown at second with Sophia Luetticke reaching first on a fielder's choice. Luetticke then stole second, which was followed by Jenny Bouthillier walking. Following that, was intense play that started with a Peyton Raley single, in which she advanced all the way around the bases and scored on a fielding error by the left fielder and a muffed throw by the shortstop. With Raley making her way around the bases, so did Luetticke and Bouthiller, to go up 3-1 heading into the bottom frame.
After two scoreless half innings, the Crimson Storm blew the doors wide open in the bottom of the third. The unit went on to score eight runs in the frame, as SNU recorded three runs, but also had assistance with three errors by the Mulerider defense. With the eight runs, the Crimson Storm went up 9-3 heading to the fourth inning.
Southern Arkansas looked to start a comeback in the top of the fourth, as the Muleriders scored one run with a Payton Owens double down the left field line to score Bouthillier, 9-4. That ended up being the last run scored by either team for the remainder of the game, with SNU earning the win and forcing a rubber match.
Vs. SNU | Game Three (W, 10-1/5)
With the loss earlier in the day, Team 28 responded accordingly with a 10-1 run-rule against the Crimson Storm.
Pitching her second complete game of the weekend was Emma Duncan, allowing just five hits and one unearned run, while striking out three batters.
Unlike game two, the Muleriders started the scoring in game three. The scoring process in the top of the first started with a Maddie Leal walk, which she then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Up next to bat was Luetticke, and the grad drew a walk as well, placing runners on first and second. Regan Dillon then grounded out, but pushed Luetticke and Leal into scoring position. The two then were batted in by a Paris Endris double down the left field line, giving the Muleriders the 2-0 advantage.
The next two half innings went scoreless, but the Crimson Storm in the bottom of the second had finally scratched a run across the plate after Kristen Mullendore singled to center field and was advanced to second by a ground out. The next batter Eden Anderson then doubled down the left field line to score Mullendore, for a 2-1 game.
The Muleriders then responded in the top third, as Dillon got it started with a triple down the right field line, which was followed by a Endris walk. Adams then reached first on a fielder's choice to score Dillon, 3-1. The scoring did not end there though, as Endris advanced to third on a fly out from Endris. Owens then scored after Peyton Raley reached on a fielder's choice, in which Adams was called out at second, 4-1.
After holding SNU scoreless again, Southern Arkansas tacked on another two runs. To start, Leal doubled to left center, and scored with a Luetticke single up the middle to score Leal, 5-1. Luetticke then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. For the final run of the inning, Luetticke was batted in by a Dillon single, 6-1.
The top of the fifth came, and the Muleriders scored four more runs, which was started by a Raley single up the middle. She was then out at second on a fielder's choice that had Bouthillier reach first. Alyssa Noriega then came in to pinch hit for AvaMarie Perry, in doing so, Noriega walked and advanced Bouthillier to second. Leal then singled up the middle and scored Bouthillier while Noriega advanced to second, 7-1. Luetticke then singled back to the pitcher, which advanced Leal to second and scored Noriega, 8-1. Endris then reached on a fielder's choice to third, that advanced Dillon to second and Luetticke to third, but had Leal get thrown out at home. The final runs for SAU and the game came off the bat of Adams, with which she doubled down the left field line to score Luetticke and Dillon for the 10-1 advantage.
Up Next
Southern Arkansas next outing will take place at home, at Dawson Field inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex on Tuesday (February 24), as the Muleriders will take on the Christian Brothers Buccaneers for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 2:00 PM.
