MAGNOLIA, Ark.  – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (22-18, 15-12 GAC) powered past the Mississippi College Choctaws (24-19, 17-10 GSC) behind an offensive onslaught that saw the Muleriders plate 18 runs behind four home runs and 13 hits in an 18-11 win. The two squads combined for 27 hits and 29 runs.
 
The offense got going early for the Muleriders in the bottom of the first inning after Cody Edwards worked around a bases loaded situation in the top of the frame to keep the Choctaws off the scoreboard early. With one out in the bottom of the first inning, Jordan Owns singled into center field and was immediately followed by a Michael Herndon opposite field home run to put SAU up 2-0 early.
 
After a scoreless second inning for both squads, the Choctaws struck back in the top of the third knotting the game at 2-2. The Muleriders responded in the bottom of the frame tacking on three runs of their own as Christian Gutierrez, Tate Elliott, and Luke Noack all walked with the bases loaded to each collect an RBI as SAU scored three runs and took a 5-2 lead.
 
The offensive onslaught continued for the Muleriders in the bottom of the fourth inning as Preston Smith crushed a two-run home run over the right field wall putting SAU up 7-2. Tate Elliott then followed with a three-run blast of his own over the left field wall as the Muleriders started to pour on the runs taking a 10-2 lead. MC struck back in the top of the fifth inning with three-runs as they attempted to work their way back into the game, 10-5. Wyatt Fielding kept the runs coming in the bottom of the fifth plating another run on a sacrifice fly as he collected an RBI and Preston Smith scored, 11-5.
 
Mississippi College was not done though as they plated a run in the top of the sixth which was followed by a grand slam as they pulled within one run of the SAU lead, 11-10. Another run in the inning knotted the game at 11-11 as both teams looked to win in the second meeting of the season. The Mulerider offense responded plating four runs in the bottom of the frame. Jacob Lang collected an RBI on a double down the left field line which was followed by a Glynn Wilson RBI ground out, 13-11. Michael Herndon worked a 18 pitch walk and David Chandler scored on a wild pitch one hitter later, 14-11. Wyatt Fielding tacked on the fourth run of the inning with a single into center field putting SAU up 15-11 after six complete innings.
 
Preston Smith collected his seventh triple of the season in the bottom of the seventh while also driving in two runs as SAU jumped out to a 17-11 lead. One more run in the bottom of the eighth for the Muleriders courtesy of a Christian Gutierrez home run to center field capped off the scoring for the Muleriders, 18-11.
 
Jackson Regan had another great midweek outing for the Muleriders throwing 3.2 innings allowing one run, four hits, one walk, and striking out five Choctaw hitters.
 
The 18 runs scored is the most by the Mulerider offense of the season.
 
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 4-for-6, 4 RBI, 3 runs scored, home run, triple
David Chandler: 2-for-2, 4 runs scored, 3 walks
Michael Herndon: 1-for-3, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI, 2 walks, home run
Tate Elliott: 1-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 2 walks, home run
Christian Gutierrez: 1-for-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBI, 2 walks, home run
Jackson Regan: 3.2 innings pitched, win, 5 strikeouts, 1 run allowed
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will continue their homestand this weekend as they prepare for their final home GAC series of the season against the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm. Game one of the series is set to begin on Friday, April 17th at 6:00 p.m.