MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (11-7, 6-3 GAC) split their Saturday double-header with the Arkansas Tech University (10-9, 7-2, GAC) falling in game one but picking up a win in game two today.
 
Game 1
The Wonder Boys broke the ice early in the game one today scoring a run in the top of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. A scoreless third inning for both teams saw ATU come to bat in the top of the fourth and add another run as they led 2-0 after the top of the fourth. SAU then scored a run of their own in the bottom of the frame as Tate Elliott scampered home after singling to lead off the inning as Christian Gutierrez collected an RBI on his groundout for the second out of the inning. Despite some traffic on the base paths, SAU ended the inning scoring one run as SAU headed to the fifth trailing 2-1. The Wonder Boys then plated three runs in the top of the fifth inning giving them a 5-1 advantage. ATU tacked on another run in the top of the sixth as they led 6-1 after six complete. The Muleriders then cut into the ATU lead as Preston Smith hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut into the lead, 6-3. The home run in the bottom of the seventh was all for SAU offense for the remainder of the game. ATU added another run in the top of the eighth and ninth and walked away winners of game one of the double header.
 
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 2-for-5,  1 run, 2 RBI
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-4
David Chandler: 2-for-4
 
Game 2
The Muleriders got off to a hot start in game two of the double header as Luke Noack doubled down the right field line to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Preston Smith then immediately tripled into right field to score Noack as SAU took an early 1-0 lead. Michael Herndon then stepped to the plate with one out and hit a sacrifice fly into left field to score Smith as the Muleriders jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after one inning. SAU then struck again in the bottom of the second inning as Jacob Lang led off with a walk followed by David Chandler being hit by a pitch. Christian Gutierrez then stepped to the plate and crushed a ground rule double into left field scoring Lang, 3-0. With one out, Luke Noack stepped to the plate and hit a single past the second baseman as Chandler scored giving SAU a 4-0 advantage after two complete.
 
The Wonder Boys got on the board in the top of the third inning plating two runs but after the top of the third, SAU still led 4-2. The Muleriders then came to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and plated two more runs of their own. Michael Herndon got the momentum going with a one out triple and was followed immediately by a Tate Elliott single to score Herndon, 5-2. Christian Gutierrez then singled to right center two hitters later to score Elliott giving SAU a 6-2 lead after three complete. The Wonder Boys plated another run in the top of the fifth inning but after five complete, the Muleriders led 6-3. Preston Smith then scored the final run of the day in the bottom of the sixth inning as Tate Elliott recorded a sacrifice fly giving SAU a 7-3 lead. The lead was all the Muleriders needed to take home the game two win as SAU walked away 7-3 victors.
 
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI
Tate Elliott: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 1 run
Christian Gutierrez: 3-for-3, 2 RBI
Luke Noack: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action next weekend, March 6th -7th as they travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas for a weekend series against the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers. First pitch on Friday, March 6th is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.