ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (14-7, 9-3 GAC) completed their sweep over the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers (10-9, 5-7 GAC) winning game one 9-1 and game two 9-3. The Muleriders outscored the Tigers 27-7 over the course of the three-game series. The sweep marks the Muleriders second series sweep of the year.
Game 1
The Muleriders got the scoring going early in game one as
Preston Smith tripled with one out and quickly scored as
Wyatt Fielding singled through the left side to score Smith, 1-0. SAU struck again in the top of the second inning as
David Chandler hit his first home run of the season over the left field wall to put SAU up 2-0. After the second inning, the game turned into a pitcher's duel as
Easton Hurley recorded five scoreless innings on the mound for the Muleriders. Ouachita cut the SAU lead in half in the bottom of the sixth inning but after six complete, SAU led 2-1. The Muleriders then put up the first crooked number of the game in the top of the seventh as
Christian Gutierrez got the scoring going again scampering home on a
Preston Smith single after he reached on a leadoff double, 3-1.
Ayden Slott then scored as
Wyatt Fielding reached on a fielding error and was followed by
Preston Smith scoring on a
Tate Elliott ground out putting the Muleriders up 5-1. The Muleriders then extended their lead again in the top of the ninth inning as
Wyatt Fielding and
Michael Herndon scored on a
Jacob Lang double after each reaching on a walk earlier in the inning, 7-1.
Ayden Slott then worked a bases loaded RBI walk to score
Tate Elliott and was followed by a
Luke Noack bases loaded RBI walk to put SAU up 9-1. The Tigers were held scoreless in the bottom of the ninth and SAU clinched the series as they looked for the sweep in game two of the Friday doubleheader.
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 2-for-6, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI
Wyatt Fielding: 1-for-3, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
Jacob Lang: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 run scored
David Chandler: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Easton Hurley: 6 innings pitched, no earned runs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts
Game 2
A scoreless first inning for both teams was followed by the Muleriders striking first again in the top of the second as
Ayden Slott singled up the middle to score
David Chandler who singled earlier in the inning, 1-0. The top of the third saw the Muleriders strike again as
Preston Smith walked to lead off the inning later scoring as
Tate Elliott singled to the shortstop to score Smith, 2-0. The Muleriders extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning as
Ayden Slott hit his first home run of the year scoring
David Chandler who singled to lead off the inning, 4-0. The Tigers cut the SAU lead in half scoring two in the bottom of the fourth, but the Muleriders still held the 4-2 advantage after four complete innings. The Muleriders continued to pour on the runs in the top of the fifth inning as
David Chandler collected an RBI walk to score
Michael Herndon, 5-2.
Christian Gutierrez then reached on a fielder's choice to score
Tate Elliott as the Blue and Gold went up 6-2.
Ayden Slott then singled into shallow left field scoring two runs, 8-2. The Muleriders added another run in the top of the seventh inning as
Christian Gutierrez scampered home, 9-2. The Tigers were able to scratch one more run across in the bottom of the seventh inning, but their comeback efforts fell short as SAU walked out of Arkadelphia with a series sweep.
Top Performers
Tate Elliott: 2-for-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
David Chandler: 2-for-3, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI
Ayden Slott: 3-for-4, 1 run scored, 5 RBI
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action next weekend March 13th and 14th as they host the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers for a three game conference series. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
