MONTICELLO, Ark.   – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (25-22, 17-16 GAC) split their Saturday doubleheader with the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (31-16, 25-8 GAC) falling in game one and winning game two to wrap up regular season play.
 
Game 1 | UAM wins 15-8
The Boll Weevils came out swinging in the first game as they took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Muleriders struck back though in the top of the third inning as Michael Herndon was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Ayden Slott scored to tie the game, 1-1. Tate Elliott stepped to the plate and doubled into center field clearing the bases as the Muleriders jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the top of the third. Another run for the Muleriders via Jordan Owns first home run of the season over the left field wall saw SAU extend their lead to 5-1 after the top of the fourth.
 
After giving up one run in the bottom of the first inning, Nate June settled in for the Muleriders holding UAM scoreless in the second, third, fourth and fifth as SAU continued to tack on. In the top of the sixth inning, the Mulerider plated another run to go up 6-1 as Ayden Slott doubled into center field to score Christian Gutierrez. The big inning for the Boll Weevils came in the bottom of the sixth as they plated 11 runs to take a 12-6 lead after six complete. Jordan Owns hit his second home run of the day in the top of the eighth to give SAU life but the Boll Weevils struck for another three in the bottom of the inning as they took a 15-7 lead into the ninth. The Blue and Gold plated one more run in the top of the ninth inning but the Boll Weevils walked away victorious.
 
Top Performers
Jordan Owns: 2-for-4, 2 home runs (career high), 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
David Chandler: 3-for-5, 2 runs
Michael Herndon: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Tate Elliott: 1-for-4, 3 RBI
Ayden Slott: 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
 
Game 2 | SAU wins 7-1
The Muleriders struck first in game two of today's doubleheader as Michael Herndon singled down the left field line to score Wyatt Fielding who reached via a single of his own one batter earlier. Quickly, SAU jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Tate Elliott stepped to the plate right after Herndon and extended the Muleriders lead with one swing hitting a home run to left center field as SAU took a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Caleb Sollars earned his first start of the season on the mound in the regular season finale and shut UAM down heading into the second inning.
 
Neither team was able to push anything across until UAM finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning plating one run, but the Muleriders escaped as they led 3-1 after four complete. In the top of the fifth inning SAU extended their lead as David Chandler hit an RBI sacrifice fly out to right field scoring Ayden Slott as the bases were loaded, 4-1. Wyatt Fielding came to the plate one hitter later and hit a long home run over the left center field wall scoring three runs as SAU jumped out to a 7-1 lead. After allowing one run to score in the fourth, Sollars shut down the Boll Weevil offense as they were held scoreless and SAU walked away with the win in game two.
 
Top Performers
Caleb Sollars: 7 innings pitched, complete game, 7 strikeouts, 1 run allowed, 1 earned run, win
Wyatt Fielding: 2-for-3, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored, home run
Tate Elliott: 1-for-3, home run, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored
 
Up Next
The Muleriders will prepare for the Great American Conference Tournament as they head to Hot Springs, Arkansas. The tournament will begin on Thursday, April 30th. Fans can check Muleriderathletics.com for times and opponent information.