MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (19-10, 14-5 GAC) completed their midweek sweep over the Delta State University Statesmen (15-13, 10-8 GSC) winning their second meeting of the season in Magnolia by a final score of 8-4.
 
The Muleriders struck first in the game as Michael Herndon singled into right center to score Preston Smith as SAU took an early 1-0 lead. A scoreless second inning for both teams saw the Statesmen get on the board in the top of the third as they scored two runs to retake the lead, 2-1. DSU struck again in the top of the fourth as they plated another run to take a 3-1 lead.
 
The Muleriders bats went cold after the first inning as they couldn't seem to find their rhythm until the bottom of the sixth inning. Two walks and a hit by pitch for the Muleriders loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the sixth as they looked to retake the lead. Ayden Slott quickly singled into right center to advance all runners up one base and score David Chandler as the Muleriders pulled within one, 3-2. The Blue and Gold knotted the game at 3-3 as Luke Noack collected an RBI ground out. Preston Smith quickly flew out to left center field to collect and RBI of his own on the sacrifice fly as the Muleriders jumped on top 4-3 after six complete.
 
SAU struck again in the bottom of the seventh as back-to-back hits saw runners on second and third with no outs. David Chandler worked a walk to load the bases for SAU as Christian Gutierrez stepped to the plate. Gutierrez grounded into a double play but Michael Herndon scampered home as SAU added some insurance to their lead, 5-3. Tate Elliott quickly scored on a wild pitch as the Muleriders began to pull away from the Statesmen, 6-3. The Muleriders plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the eight to provide more insurance as Wyatt Fielding doubled to score Ayden Slott, 7-3 and Tate Elliott singled into center field to score Fielding, 8-3. The Statesmen scored one more run in the top of the ninth, but the game was out of reach and the Muleriders took home their 19th win of the season.
 
Freshman pitcher Eli Berry had a tremendous outing on the mound for the Muleriders throwing five complete innings allowing only one earned run on five hits while striking out two hitters and not giving up a walk. Berry improved his season record to 2-0 on the year with the starter Stetson Bishop getting the no decision. Berry held the Statesmen scoreless until giving up one run in the ninth via home run.
 
Top Performers
Eli Berry: 5.0 innings, 1 earned run, 1 run, 2 strikeouts, win
Michael Herndon: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run
Tate Elliott: 2-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 run
Ayden Slott: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run
 
Up next
The Muleriders will be back in action this weekend as they host the Henderson State University Reddies for a three game conference series beginning on Friday, March 27th at 6:00 p.m.