MAGNOLIA, Ark.  – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (20-10, 15-5 GAC) defeated the Henderson State University Reddies (17-12, 8-11 GAC) behind the first career complete game shut out performance as a Mulerider to give SAU a 1-0 win in game one of the series.
 
The game got underway tonight as both team's aces took the mound and appeared to be exactly that as both went three up and three down in their first inning of work. Early on the game appeared to be a pitchers' duel as both teams battled to gain the first advantage plating the first run. Ethan Roark on the mound for HSU cruised through his first three innings not allowing a hit until the Muleriders finally struck.  
 
The first hit of the game for SAU came off the bat of Wyatt Fielding as he singled into right field for the first hit of the game. Hutcherson also cruised on the mound for the Muleriders taking a no hitter into the fifth inning before the Reddies finally got into the hit column in the top of the fifth with a single of their own into right field. Both pitchers worked around traffic on the base paths though as the game entered the sixth inning scoreless. Henderson State collected their second hit of the game in the top of the sixth inning, but Hutcherson again escaped. Another three up three down for the Muleriders in the top of the seventh saw the offense with a chance to break the ice in the bottom of the inning.
 
A leadoff single from Preston Smith to begin the bottom of the seventh gave the Muleriders offense life. Smith quickly swiped second base and scampered to third on a throwing error by the catcher putting him in scoring position with no outs. With one out, Michael Herndon broke the ice with a single into left field to score Smith as SAU took a 1-0 lead. The Reddies were able to escape the inning without allowing another run. After seven complete innings, SAU led 1-0.
 
Eli Hutcherson trotted back out to the mound in the top of the eighth going three up and three down to send the game to the bottom of the inning. The bottom of the eighth saw the same outcome for the Muleriders as the teams headed to the ninth. Hutcherson came back out to the mound for the top of the ninth inning and went three up and three down again facing the minimum to top off a spectacular night for the senior.
 
Hutcherson face the minimum in five innings tonight. His final stat line for the game reads, nine innings pitched, two hits allowed, no runs allowed, one walk, one hit by pitch, 10 strikeouts.
 
Top Performers
Eli Hutcherson: 9 innings pitched, no runs allowed, one walk, 10 strikeouts
Michael Herndon: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
Preston Smith: 1-for-2, 1 run scored
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, March 28th for a double header against the Reddies. First pitch of game two is set for 2:00 p.m.