MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (20-13, 14-7 GAC) fell in their Tuesday night midweek contest to the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (22-10, 17-4 GAC) by a final score of 12-7.
The Boll Weevils jumped out to an early 6-0 lead after the first two innings as the Muleriders bats were cold early. A scoreless third for both teams saw the Muleriders finally find some life offensively in the bottom of the fourth. After a
Preston Smith double to lead off the inning,
Michael Herndon singled up the middle with one out to score Smith as SAU cracked the scoreboard, 1-6. The lone run in the fourth was all the Muleriders could muster until the bottom of the fifth inning rolled around.
Preston Smith singled to the first baseman and advanced to second on an errant throw as
Luke Noack came in to score from third, 2-6.
Wyatt Fielding quickly singled through the left side as
Preston Smith scored cutting the UAM lead to just three runs, 3-6. Mulerider reliever
Jackson Regan entered the game in the third inning and cooled off the Boll Weevil bats until the top of the seventh inning when UAM added one run, 3-7. SAU responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh as
Michael Herndon collected another two RBI as he singled up the middle to score
Wyatt Fielding and
Ayden Slott, 5-7. Heading into the eighth inning, the Boll Weevils led 7-5. In the top of the eighth, UAM extended their lead with five runs to take a 12-5 lead. Another two RBI for
Michael Herndon in the bottom of the eighth put the Muleriders in striking distance as they trailed 7-12 entering the ninth. Neither team was able to plate run in the ninth and the marathon game concluded as UAM walked away winners.
Top Performers
Michael Herndon: 3-for-5, 5 RBI (career high)
Jackson Regan: 4.2 innings pitched (season high), 6 strikeouts, 0 earned runs, 1 run allowed
Preston Smith: 2-for-4, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action on Thursday, April 2nd in Searcy, Arkansas as they begin a three-game series against the Harding University Bisons. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
