MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Mulerider Softball has wrapped up action for the weekend at Dawson Field inside the Margaret Downing Softball Complex, as seventh-ranked Southern Arkansas (28-3 | 13-2 GAC) handled business against the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (10-22 | 4-11 GAC) with a run-rule rubber match, defeating SWOSU 9-0 in five innings. 

SAU vs. SWOSU | Game Three | W, 9-0 (5 inn.)

In the rubber game, getting the start was Emma Duncan, as the grad student went on to record 4.0 innings pitched prior to Libby May closing the contest out in the top of the fifth. Neither allowed a run with both surrendering just two hits. 

Every batter reached on base in the outing, with the only member of the Blue and Gold not recording a hit being Sophia Luetticke, but the Show Me State local did get on base with a hit by pitch and a throwing error.

Southern Arkansas scoring got started up fast after shutting down the Bulldogs threat in the top of the first, as America Rubio doubled down the left field line to bat in Luetticke coming off of that HBP, SAU up 1-0. Paris Endris followed up Ame with a double of her own to right center field to bat in Rubio, Muleriders up 2-0 after one. 

After another scoreless frame from SWOSU, Team 28 completely blew the doors open, which started with bases being loaded with a AvaMarie Perry double, Jenny Bouthillier single, and Luetticke reaching first on a throwing error. Batting in the first run of the frame was Regan Dillon, as the senior singled to left field to bat in Perry, 3-0. Following the Bulldogs making a pitching change, Ame single through the left side to score Bouthillier, 4-0. After the second out of the inning, Kelsie Adams singled to the pitcher to bat in Luetticke and go up 5-0. Following Adams, Payton Owens singled to center field to bat in two runs with Dillon and Rubio scratching across the plate, 7-0. For the sixth and final run of the frame, Perry reached first on an error by the shortstop, which scored Adams for the 8-0 advantage. 

Neither group tacked on another run in the third inning, but the Muleriders managed to add on another insurance score in the bottom of the fourth, as Owens was batted in on a Maddie Leal single after getting on base with a double of her own, 9-0. 

With May coming in to close the bout, the Bulldogs threatened to extend the matchup, but the Blue and Gold defense closed the door on the threat, as the group won the series over SWOSU with a 9-0 run-rule victory. 

Up Next:

Southern Arkansas' next bout will be a pair of home contests in the box score, but will take place on the road, as the Muleriders will head to Paris, Texas for a midweek doubleheader with Midwestern State on Wednesday (Mar. 25) starting at 3:00 PM.