PARIS, Texas — The eighth-ranked Muleriders wrapped up action in their midweek outings against the Midwestern State Mustangs (4-26 | 2-18 LSC) with a pair of victories to sweep the group from Wichita Falls, Texas. In the doubleheader, Team 28 was the home team on the scoreboard and won 8-0 in six innings for game one and then won 6-2 in seven for game two.
SAU vs. MSU | Game One | W, 8-0 (6 inn.)
Getting the start, and completing another game, was Emma Duncan (15-1). The Canadian pitched her 11th complete this season while also producing her sixth shutout. In the CG, Duncan allowed just three hits with one walk and waved seven batters.
In the first two innings, neither group could fully find their groove with the bats, as the Muleriders had two runners stranded in the bottom half of the first and the Mustangs left one on in the top of the second.
After a three-up-three-down top frame in the third, the Blue and Gold's bats got hot, as AvaMarie Perry started the sequence with a single to shortstop, followed by a pass ball to assist Perry to advance to third. After that, Jenny Bouthillier reached first then second on a throwing error by MSU which propelled Perry to score from second, SAU up 1-0. On a wild pitch, Bouthillier advanced to third on a wild pitch. Maddie Leal came to the plate and reached on a fielder's choice with no runners being thrown out. After Sophia Luetticke drew a walk, the Muleriders had loaded the bases with no outs and put the pressure on the 'Stangs defense. Regan Dillon added on the pressure with a single to left centerfield to bat in Bouthillier and Leal, Muleriders lead 3-0. America Rubio wore a pitch and loaded the bases once again. To add on another run, Paris Endris singled to left field and batted in Luetticke for the 4-0 advantage. Following a pitching change for Midwestern State, Kelsie Adams kept the bases loaded, but on a fielder's choice that had Dillon thrown out at home. Following the second out of the frame, Perry came back to the plate and picked up where she left off, with a single to center field to score Rubio and Endris for the 6-0 lead.
The next five frames went scoreless despite all having a runner get on base, but in the bottom of the sixth, SAU called game with a Luetticke run scored on a throwing error and a walk-off double by Endris to center field to bat in pinch runner Briana Jones, 8-0.
SAU vs. MSU | Game Two | W, 6-2
Starting game two of the midweek doubleheader, Kassie Rhodes (13-1) claimed complete game number five, as the senior subdued the Mustangs' multiple attempts at pulling off a comeback.
Having a much different beginning in game two was Midwestern State, as the group put the pressure on Rhodes and the field early with back-to-back singles, with a third coming after the first out of the frame. The Quitman, Arkansas native did not let the Mustangs gain the early momentum though, as Rhodes forced a fielder's choice at home for out two and recorded the third out with a strike out swinging, stranding the three runners on base.
After two scoreless frames, the Blue and Gold broke the silence with a lead-off dinger by Kelsie Adams to give the Muleriders the 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the second.
Following two more three-up-three-down top halves for MSU, SAU blew it open in the bottom of the fourth, which began with Adams drawing a walk. Adams then advanced to second whilst Payton Owens grounded out to the pitcher for a sac bunt. With another sac bunt, Perry was thrown out at first, which advanced Adams to second. The Muleriders had Bouthillier come up and tack on another run, as she batted in Adams on a single to centerfield, 2-0. To go and put two runners on base, Leal drew a walk, which was followed by her and Jenny moving over a base with Luetticke wearing a pitch. Dillon then reached on a fielding error by the shortstop for Bouthillier and Leal to score, 4-0. Ame followed this up with a single to left field to bat in Luetticke for a 5-0 advantage. For the final run of the inning and day for SAU, Endris batted in Dillon on her second double of the day, 6-0.
The Mustangs attempted to rally in the top of the fifth, and while scratching across a pair of runs, the comeback was snuffed out by Rhodes and company for the Muleriders to cruise to a 6-2 triumph.
Up Next:
The Muleriders get back into conference action this weekend, as the Blue and Gold take their trip to Arkadelphia, Arkansas for the three-game series at Henderson State.
