MAGNOLIA, Ark. — The 10th-ranked Muleriders (17-2 | 2-1 GAC) are officially back in business at Dawson Field inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex, as Southern Arkansas took on the Christian Brothers University Buccaneers (3-10 | 0-3 GSC) in a doubleheader and defeated the group in both games.
Vs. CBU Game One (W, 1-0)
To start action back up in Magnolia, the Muleriders saw Emma Duncan take the circle and absolutely go to work. The Canadian went on a tear against the Buccaneers, as she delivered her third shutout of the season with just two hits, no walks, and 11 strikeouts.
In game one, both groups got caught up in a pitching battle up until the bottom of the sixth inning. In that inning was the lone run scored by wither group, with Kelsie Adams nailing her fourth dinger of the campaign to go up 1-0.
In the top of the seventh, the Buccaneers attempted to strike back, as the group got just their second hit of the game with a double to right field. The group was then stunted with a pop out to Payton Owens for the Muleriders' 16th win of the season.
Vs. CBU Game Two (W, 10-2/5)
Game two saw freshman Addie Morris get the start in the circle, but was then relieved for senior Kassie Rhodes in the top of the second for nearly the remainder of the game until sophomore Libby May came in to close in the top of the fifth.
The following contest was quite the opposite, as Christian Brothers broke its scoreless ways with a solo shot by McKenzie Shinabery to go up 1-0 in the top of the first. That feeling for the Buccaneers didn't fade away yet, as Katelyn Harmon then sent another ball over the wall for a second solo home run, putting the Bucs up 2-0 after the top of the first.
Christian Brothers looked to have firm control of the outing after the bottom of the first, as the Muleriders went three up and three down.
CBU managed to get two more runners on base in the top of the second, but would not scratch home plate in the frame with Rhodes and the defense halting the Bucs' efforts.
Southern Arkansas was finally able to answer in the bottom of the second, which started off with a Paris Endris walk. Kelsie Adams then doubled to right field to advanced Endris to second. After the first out of the frame, Peyton Raley hit the second double of the inning to scoring Endris and Adams to tie the contest at 2-2 going into the third.
In the top of the third, the Buccaneers managed to record a double in the inning, but that was it, as Rhodes held up CBU again.
Then came the bottom of the third. Leading off the half inning was AvaMarie Perry, as the Californian singled to the pitcher, but was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice with Maddie Leal reaching first. Leal then made it to third on a Sophia Luetticke double. Regan Dillon then walked to juice the bases, which set up Endris to electrify the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex with a grand slam going over the center field to give the Muleriders a 6-2 lead. That didn't end the scoring, or the home runs, as Adams then homered over the left field wall for a 7-2 advantage.
The Bucs then went three up three down in the top of the fourth, with all three batters popping out.
SAU followed up with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Luetticke singled to the shortstop with one out and was advanced to second on a Dillon single up the middle. Both advanced another base over with Endris drawing a walk and loading the bases. To score Luetticke, Adams drew a walk and kept the bases loaded. Owens then flied out for a sacrifice fly, which scored Dillon for a 9-2 lead heading into the fifth.
The Bucs weren't able to counter back in the top of the fifth, as the Blue and Gold went back to work in the bottom half of the frame.
Brooklyn Reed then came in to pinch hit for Jenny Bouthillier, as Reed went on to single up the middle. After the first out of the frame, Leal then singled to second to push Reed to second after dodging the tag. Luetticke was then able to reach first on a fielder's choice that threw reed out at third, keeping runners on first and second. Leigha Gilbert then came into pinch run for Leal at second, and zoomed her way to home on a Dillon single to walk it off for the Muleriders in a 10-2 five inning run-rule victory.
Up Next:
Southern Arkansas' next outing is on the road, as Team 28 is back in GAC play in Russellville, Arkansas, where the Muleriders will face off against the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys on February 27-28.
