ADA, Okla.  – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (21-18, 15-12 GAC) fell today in their Saturday doubleheader to the East Central University Tigers (19-20, 15-12 GAC) by a final score of 8-4 in game one and 2-1 in game two.
 
Game 1 | ECU wins 8-4
After a scoreless top of the first for SAU, the Tigers struck first plating four runs in the bottom of the frame to take an early 4-0 lead. Both offenses fell silent until SAU cut the Tiger lead in half plating two runs on a Christian Gutierrez double, 4-2. ECU responded in the bottom of the fourth with another two runs to take a 6-2 lead after four complete innings. In the top of the fifth inning, Michael Herndon collected an RBI hit by pitch with the bases loaded, 6-3. The Tigers tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh inning plating two runs to take an 8-3 lead. The Muleriders were able to scratch a run across in the top of the ninth inning, 8-4. Despite having traffic on the base paths in the ninth, SAU was only able to scratch the one run across as ECU took game one of the series.
 
Top Performers
Christian Gutierrez: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
 
Game 2 | ECU wins 2-1
In game two of the doubleheader, both teams were held scoreless after the first inning. ECU broke the ice first yet again in game two plating one run in the bottom of the second to take a 1-0 lead. Both offenses fell quiet again until the Muleriders plated their first run of the game as Christian Gutierrez singled down the right field line to score Michael Herndon to knot the game at 1-1. The pitching staffs took over in the sixth as both teams went scoreless. In the top of the seventh inning, the Muleriders were unable to plate a run, and ECU came to bat in the bottom of the frame. The Tigers scored one run and took game two of the doubleheader by a final score of 2-1.
 
Top Performers
Christian Gutierrez: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action on Tuesday, April 14th as Mississippi College makes the trip to Magnolia. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.