MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (24-21, 16-15 GAC) fell tonight in Monticello, Arkansas to the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (30-15, 24-7 GAC) by a final score of 9-8.
The Muleriders started the game off with a bang as
Michael Herndon hit his sixth home run of the season to score two runs as
Preston Smith got on with a leadoff double. SAU took a 2-0 lead heading to the bottom of the first. The Boll Weevils responded quickly plating four runs of their own as they retook the lead 4-2 after one complete. A scoreless second from both squads saw UAM plate two more runs in the bottom of the third and one in the bottom of the fourth taking a 7-2 lead after four complete. The Muleriders bats were quite until the fifth inning as
David Chandler hit a three-run home run to left center field putting within two of the Boll Weevils, 7-5. A two out single from
Tate Elliott scored
Wyatt Fielding who doubled earlier in the inning as SAU trailed 7-6. The Blue and Gold knotted the game at 7-7 as
Jacob Lang singled but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. The hit was enough to bring in Elliott though to knot the game.
UAM plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to retake the lead 9-7 as the Muleriders were down to their last nine outs. A scoreless seventh and eighth from both squads saw the Muleriders come to the plate in the top of the ninth needing two runs to tie the game and three to take the lead. SAU was able to plate one run but could not push anything more across despite runners being on the bases. UAM escaped game one with a 9-8 win.
Five Muleriders recorded multiple hits in the game as SAU outhit UAM 15-12.
Top Performers
Preston Smith: 3-for-4, 2 runs scored
David Chandler: 1-for-3, 3 RBI, home run, 1 run scored
Michael Herndon: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, home run, 1 run scored
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-5, 2 runs scored
Christian Gutierrez: 2-for-4
Tate Elliott: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Jacob Lang: 2-for-5, 1 RBI
Up Next
The Muleriders will be back in action Saturday, April 25th as they close out their regular season play. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2:00 p.m.