MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (20-12, 14-7 GAC) fell in both games of their doubleheader today against the Henderson State University Reddies (19-12, 10-11 GAC). With the two losses today, the Muleriders lost the series two games to one.
Game 1 || HSU wins 8-5
The Reddies struck first in game one scoring one run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. A scoreless bottom of the frame for SAU saw neither team score in the second inning. The Reddies struck again in the third plating two runs and one in the fifth scoring one run to take a 4-0 lead. The SAU offense struggled through the first five innings of play but finally cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth as
Luke Noack recorded an RBI groundout scoring
Jacob Lang who reached on a double to lead off the inning. After six complete innings, HSU led 4-1. The Reddies struck right back in the top of the seventh plating three runs to jump out to a 7-1 lead. The Muleriders did not go down without a fight as
Christian Gutierrez collected two RBI doubling into left center field to score
Tate Elliott and
Michael Herndon, 7-3. The Muleriders scored again this time via a
Jacob Lang RBI groundout as he drove in
David Chandler, 7-4. The Muleriders plated another run in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a
Michael Herndon double into the right center field gap scoring
Wyatt Fielding from first base, 7-5. HSU tacked on a run of their own in the top of the ninth to make it 8-5 as the Muleriders came to bat for their last chance in game one. The Mulerider offense was unable to keep their bats hot as they did not push a run across and the Reddies evened the series winning game two 8-5.
Top Performers:
Michael Herndon: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run
Christian Gutierrez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Game 2 || HSU wins 2-1
The Reddies struck first again in game two of the doubleheader plating a run early in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. From there on a defensive struggle began as both teams settled in. Neither team was able to push a run across for five innings despite multiple chances with traffic on the base paths for both teams. HSU added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning off a homerun to take a 2-0 lead as the Muleriders came to the plate with one more chance. With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning,
Glynn Wilson worked a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch putting a runner in scoring position for the Muleriders.
Jacob Lang drew a walk and was followed by
Preston Smith being hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out.
Wyatt Fielding stepped to the plate and collected an RBI as he grounded out to score Wilson as SAU trailed 2-1.
Michael Herndon was intentionally walked to load the bases again as
Tate Elliott stepped to the plate. Elliott put the ball in play, but the Reddies were able to make the defensive effort to seal the game and take the 2-1 win over the Muleriders.
Top Performers
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-4, 1 RBI
Up Next
The Muleriders will return to action on Tuesday, March 31st for midweek action against the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.
