MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (2-4, 0-0 GAC) won the series tonight taking both games in today's doubleheader against the Maryville University Saints (1-2, 0-0 GLVC) taking game one by a final of 8-4 and game two by a final of 9-4.
 
Game 1
The Saints got the game started with a bang hitting a home run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead early in the contest. The Muleriders came to bat in the bottom of the inning and were held scoreless as the teams headed to the top of the second inning. The top of the second, Maryville posted two more runs to take a 3-0 lead. A scoreless bottom of the frame for the Blue and Gold saw Maryville leading 3-0 after two complete. The Saints were held off of the scoreboard for the first time in the game in the top of the third inning as SAU came to bat and the offense reared their head. In the bottom of the frame, SAU scratched a run across after Tate Elliott collected a one out single followed by a Preston Smith hit by pitch. Jordan Owns then stepped to the plate and grounded out to the short stop allowing both runners to advance. Tate Elliott then scored on a wild pitch for the first run of the game for SAU as Preston Smith also advanced to third.
 
A scoreless fourth for both teams and a scoreless top of the fifth led to the Muleriders getting on the board again in the bottom of the frame. Jordan Owns started hit parade with a one out double then quickly advancing to third on a pass ball. Wyatt Fielding then doubled into the right center gap scoring Owns as SAU cut the deficit to one, 2-3. Herndon then immediately doubled to right field scoring Fielding and SAU tied the game at 3-3. After a scoreless sixth for both teams, the Saints scratched another run across in the top of the fourth to retake the lead, 4-3. The SAU offense then got hot in the bottom of the seventh as Wyatt Fielding walked to begin the inning. Michael Herndon the singled followed by a Jacob Lang single and a sacrifice fly by David Chandler to score Fielding to tie the game yet again. A Dalen Blanchard walk to load the bases with one out followed by a Christian Gutierrez SAC fly to score Herndon gave SAU a 5-4 lead. Blanchard then stole second and Jacob Lang scored on an errant throw gave SAU a 6-4 lead. The Muleriders then tacked on again in the eighth inning as Michael Herndon hit a two-run home run to score Wyatt Fielding who doubled to begin the inning gave SAU the 8-4 advantage. A three up and three down top of the ninth for Jake Guidry secured the win for SAU.
 
Top Performers
Wyatt Fielding: 3-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 3 runs scored
Michael Herndon: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored,
Easton Hurley: 5 complete innings, three runs allowed,  3 strikeouts
Jake Guidry: 4 complete innings, 3 hits, 1 run allowed, win
 
Game 2
Maryville started game two off hot at the plate with three runs in the top of the first but the Muleriders answered in the bottom of the inning. A one out single from Jordan Owns followed by a towering home run by Wyatt Fielding cut the deficit to one, 2-3. Herndon then followed with a single and with two outs, David Chandler singled up the middle to put runners on first and second with two outs. Dalen Blanchard then doubled into left center field scoring Chandler and Herndon to give SAU the lead, 4-3. The Muleriders then added two runs in the bottom of the second inning as Michael Herndon singled up the middle to score Jordan Owns and Preston Smith who reached on a hit by pitch and walk respectively earlier in the inning, 6-4. SAU then tacked on one more run as Wyatt Fielding scored on a pass ball to give SAU a 7-4 lead.
 
The Blue and Gold added to their lead quickly in the bottom of the third as Tate Elliott doubled to left center and Christian Gutierrez scored from first after working a one out walk just one hitter before, 8-3. Tate Elliott then scored on a wild pitch as SAU took a commanding 9-3 lead. Maryville scratched one run across in the top of the fifth inning but that is all that the Saints could score as SAU's pitching stayed tough today to earn the rubber match win and clinch the series.
 
Top Performers
Michael Herndon: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run
Jordan Owns: 2-for-3, 2 runs scored
David Chandler: 1-for-1, 1 run
Wyatt Fielding: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs
Dalen Balnchard: 1-for-3, 2 RBI
Nate June: 4 innings pitched, 6 strikeouts
Wes Cunningham:  3 innings pitched, 1 hit allowed, 4 strikeouts.
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action for a midweek matchup against Delta State University on Tuesday, February 10th in Cleveland, Mississippi. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.