WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (17-10, 12-5 GAC) split their Friday doubleheader against the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (15-14, 7-10 GAC) losing game one by a final score of 10-9 and winning game two 5-4 in extra innings.
 
Game 1
The first game of the series was an offensive showcase for both teams as the teams plated 19 combined runs and 28 total hits.
 
The Bulldogs got the scoring started first plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. SAU responded in the top of the second inning as Christian Gutierrez doubled down the right field line to score Michael Herndon who walked to lead off the inning, 2-1. The Muleriders plated their second run of the inning as Tate Elliott scampered home on a wild pitch to knot the game at 2-2. SAU took the lead as Jacob Lang collected an RBI as he grounded out to second base scoring Gutierrez, 3-2. A scoreless third inning for both teams saw the Muleriders score another run in the top of the fourth inning as Ayden Slott collected an RBI single into center field as Christian Gutierrez scored, 4-2. SWOSU plated one run in the bottom of the fourth to pull back within one, 4-3 but after four complete, the Muleriders led. SAU tacked on two runs in the top of the fifth inning as Christian Gutierrez tripled into right center field scoring Tate Elliott and Wyatt Fielding, 6-3. A shut down bottom of the fifth for Eli Hutcherson on the mound saw SAU tack on again in the top of the sixth. Preston Smith hit his sixth triple of the season as Ayden Slott scored, 7-3 which was followed by a Wyatt Fielding RBI single through the left side as Smith scored, 8-3. SWOSU began to chip away at the Muleriders lead in the bottom of the sixth scoring two runs, 8-5. Another run in the bottom of the seventh for the Bulldogs followed by three runs in the bottom of the eighth saw them take a 9-8 advantage as the Muleriders had three outs left. The Muleriders plated one run in the top of the ninth as Dylan Broadway singled to the second baseman and Michael Herndon scored as the Muleriders tied the game at 9-9. The Bulldogs came to the plate in the bottom of the frame and plated one run winning game one in walk off fashion 10-9.
 
Top Performers
Michael Herndon: 2-for-3, 2 runs scored
Christian Gutierrez: 3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored
 
Game 2
The Bulldogs began the second game much like the first one as they jumped out to an early 4-0 lead scoring one run in the first, two runs in the second, and one run in the third. The Muleriders did not crack the scoreboard until the top of the fourth inning when they fought back in a big way. SAU plated their first run of the lead as Jacob Lang collected an RBI single into left field scoring Ayden Slott who walked with one out, 4-1. Preston Smith then collected an RBI of his own as he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Christian Gutierrez, 4-2. Wyatt Fielding collected his first RBI of the game one hitter later as he collected a bases loaded RBI walk, 4-3. Micheal Herndon tied game two of the day up at 4-4 as he worked a bases loaded RBI walk of his own. A shut down bottom of the fourth inning for Nate June saw a completely new game after four complete innings as the two foes were knotted at 4-4. After a scoreless fifth for both teams, Preston Smith gave the Muleriders the lead with a home run to right center field, 5-4. Hayden Olgesby shut the SWOSU offense down for the remainder of the game as he earned his first save of the year and Nate June improved to 3-0 on the mound as the Muleriders evened the series with a 5-4 win.
 
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 1 run, home run
Nate June: 5 innings pitched, four runs allowed, 0 earned runs, 5 strikeouts
Hayden Oglesby: 2 innings pitched, 0 runs allowed, 0 earned runs, save
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, March 21st as they play the series rubber match starting at 1:00 p.m.