MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (16-8, 11-4 GAC) clinched the series win over the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers (13-15, 6-9 GAC) in dominant fashion winning via a run rule in seven innings by a final score of 13-3.
 
Carter Gaston earned his first win of the year on the mound for the Muleriders with Hurley earning the no decision. All but one Mulerider hitter recorded two hits in the game as SAU finished with 16 hits in the offensive clinic.
 
The Rangers broke the ice first in the top of the first inning as they plated two runs to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. A scoreless bottom of the first for SAU and a scoreless top of the second for NWOSU saw SAU come to bat in the bottom of the second inning. The Muleriders bats got hot in the bottom of the second as they knotted the game at 2-2 off an Ayden Slott single into center field scoring Tate Elliott and Christian Gutierrez who both reached on singles earlier in the inning. Preston Smith stepped to the plate with two outs and gave SAU the lead tripling off the center field wall scoring Ayden Slott and Luck Noack, 4-2. Wyatt Fielding followed with a single of his own through the left side to score Smith easily, 5-2. Tate Elliott stepped to the plate for his second at bat of the inning and singled into center field scoring Herndon and Fielding but was thrown out at second trying to stretch the one bagger into a double. All seven of the SAU runs in the inning were scored with two outs. After two complete, SAU led 7-2.
 
NWOSU tried to chip away in the top of the fourth inning scoring one run but the Muleriders pitching shut them down as they only plated one run and after four complete innings, the Muleriders led 7-3. The bats got hot again in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Blue and Gold as David Chandler led off with a long home run to left center field, 8-3. The Muleriders kept the pressure on as Christian Gutierrez was hit by a pitch and was followed two hitters later by Ayden Slott with a single into center field. A Luke Noack ground out on a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third as Preston Smith stepped to the plate with two outs and delivered a hustle double through the left side plating two runs, 10-3. Wyatt Fielding extended the lead with a single through the right-side scoring Smith from second as SAU jumped out to an 11-3 lead after five complete innings. SAU put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning after a Christian Gutierrez double down the left field line scored David Chandler from first who reached on a one out single, 12-3. Jacob Lang pushed the final run across for the Muleriders with a single into center field scoring Gutierrez and putting the game in jeopardy of the 10-run rule, 13-3. Carter Gaston rolled back out to the mound in the top of the seventh inning and went three up and three down to send everyone home early and clinch the series win for the Muleriders.
 
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 2-for-4, 2 runs scored, 4 RBI, double, triple
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
Tate Elliott: 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
David Chandler: 2-for-3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, home run
Ayden Slott: 2-for-4, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action on Tuesday, March 17th as they head to Arkadelphia, Arkansas for a midweek matchup against Henderson State. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.