MAGNOLIA, Ark. — The ninth-ranked Muleriders (21-2 | 6-1 GAC) returned to action at Dawson Field inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex on Thursday night, as Team 28 resumed Great American Conference play with a series opener against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers (8-10 | 5-2 GAC). Southern Arkansas ended up coming out on top in dramatic fashion, as the Muleriders went on to claim league win number six with a 4-1 win over the Tigers.
Getting the start, and pitching her eighth complete game, was Emma Duncan. The Canadian, in her 13th start of the season, allowed just two hits, one earned run, one walk, and struck out seven batters. Duncan's stellar pitching aided the Muleriders in their Thursday night victory, as the SAU bats took time to begin heating up, until the bottom of the seventh inning.
SAU vs. OUA | Game One | W, 4-1
After a scoreless first couple of frames in the outing, the Tigers scored first in the top of the second, as the group got the frame started with a lead-off triple to right field by Remington Adams. The following batter, Emily Reed was then hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners, and as Reed attempted to steal second, she was thrown out by Jenny Bouthillier to Payton Owens and then to Paris Endris. While Reed was thrown out, Remington Adams scored during the diversion, Ouachita up 1-0.
Southern Arkansas was able to respond to the top frame scored run by the Tigers with one of their own, as Kelsie Adams singled to right field with one out. Owens then followed Adams' single with one of her own to advance Adams to third and place herself at first. AvaMarie Perry then stepped to the dish and reached first on a fielder's choice, which got Owens out but scored Adams for the 1-1 score.
From this point on, the two units were unable to find traction with the bats, as both groups ended up playing some impressive defense. The impressive defense mentioned saw multiple diving catches, both in right field and to the pitcher, as Duncan snagged one ball out of the air on a popped up bunt and then dove out for another, falling down towards the home dugout with the ball in hand.
Neither group was able to score until the Muleriders had finally broke the silence in the bottom frame of the seventh. To start, Maddie Leal doubled down the left field line, as she was then relieved for pinch runner Brooklyn Reed. After a pair of outs, America Rubio drew a walk, to set up Paris Endris. The Bossier City local went on to nail a three-run walk-off bomb over the left center wall to win the series opener for SAU with a 4-1 final.
Up Next:
Team 28 looks to cap off their three-game series with Ouachita Baptist tomorrow, as the two will commence the series doubleheader at 3:00 PM.
