MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Another weekend of action at Dawson Field inside the Dr. Margaret Downing Softball Complex has wrapped up, as Mulerider Softball claimed its seventh Great American Conference series of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Harding Lady Bisons in nine innings. Southern Arkansas' win against the Lady Bisons came in about as dramatic of fashions possible, as Team 28 defeated the group from Searcy, Arkansas with many crazy defensive efforts and a walk-off homer to cap off the drama. With the win, SAU advances to 34-5 overall with a 17-4 record in GAC action.
Game Three | W, 2-1 (9 inn.)
The series finale saw momentum shift all over the place, as both groups' pitchers threw another complete game each. For the Blue and Gold, Emma Duncan tallied her 14th complete game this season, allowing just one run with one walk and seven hits. The grad student from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada had herself an outstanding game keeping runners off the plate, as well as her play at the plate, with Duncan throwing out eight batters in the rubber match. With the win, the Canadian now moves to 18-2 for the campaign.
The Lady Bisons began the game looking to be strong offensively following a lead-off strikeout, as the group drew a full count walk and recorded a one out single to have runners on first and second. The squad then saw Ella Friederich single up the middle to bat in the unit's lone run of the outing, with Bailey Robinson scoring, Harding up 1-0.
Team 28 countered Harding's run with one of their own in the bottom half of the first, as Sophia Luetticke recorded a one out single to center field, and then advanced to second on a will pitch. Luetticke was batted in with a Regan Dillon ground out to short stop, tying the bout at 1-1 after the first inning.
Neither team managed to scratch across another run until the end, despite the multiple chances presented by both teams.
Those chances included a bases loaded situation for Harding in the top of the third, as Duncan struck out the lead-off and surrendered three-straight singles. The Muleriders went on to get out of the situation, as HU's Cameron Timmons lined out to AvaMarie Perry at third base, with the third basemen stepping on the bag for the double play.
Another opportunity to take a lead came in the bottom of the fourth. With a runner, Leigh Gilbert, on first, after pinch running for Regan Dillon, Kelsie Adams doubled to right center with a ground-rule to place runners in scoring position, but were stranded with a strikeout to end in the inning.
The Muleriders had another shot at taking the lead, and walking the game off early, in the bottom of the seventh, with Payton Owens accounting for a one out single up the middle. Brooklyn Reed then stepped to the plate and singled to left center field, but advanced to second with an error recorded by Harding's center fielder, also placing Owens at third. Following a second out, Madde Leal was intentionally walked, but was followed by a pop out to send the game to extras.
Immediately, the Lady Bisons started extra innings with a solid start in the top of the eighth, as Logan Ringel singled through the left side to lead off the inning. Following an errant throw by the Muleriders on a fielder's choice, Harding's Tori Turner reached first with Ringel making her way to second. The unit then recorded another single to load the bases, but SAU stymied the rally with a fly out to Peyton Raley in right field and a throw out at home to Reed tagging out Ringel.
Finally, after the many chances to snatch the lead, the bottom of the ninth came. To lead off, the Lady Bisons seemed to have retained enough momentum with a strikeout to begin the bottom half of the inning. Just four pitches later on a 2-2 count for Brooklyn Reed, the senior launched the ball over the left center field wall to walk-off the Lady Bisons, while also recording her first home run of the season and the second of her career.
Up Next:
The Muleriders will remain at home for next weekend, as Southern Arkansas will take on the East Central University Tigers on April 10-11. The series opener will take place on Friday (Apr. 10) at 6:00 PM. The doubleheader will begin on Saturday (Apr. 11) at 1:00 PM.
