Alva Review-Courier -

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The top-seeded Southern Arkansas baseball team suffered its first loss of the postseason on Thursday afternoon as they were upended by No. 4-seed Henderson State by a score of 13-5. The Muleriders will now play an elimination game against No. 2-seed Arkansas Tech on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Clyde Berry Field in Arkadelphia.

TEAM RECORDS

No. 4 Henderson State Reddies (31-19)

No. 1 Southern Arkansas Muleriders (38-13)

PITCHING DECISIONS

W – Bryant Haralson (10-3)

L – Dalton Algiene (10-3)

S – None

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Reddies got on the board first on a solo home run in the top of the first inning by Hayden Lessenberry. HSU added a single run in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, SAU scored their first run of the game as Cortland McPherson singled to right field to plate Jacob Richardson, who doubled in the at-bat previous to lead off the inning.

A bunt single followed by James Trevanion and on that play, McPherson and Trevanion were able to advance 90-feet on a scary play that saw the throw from the Reddies' catcher strike the side of the face of HSU starter Bryant Haralson.

Despite the uncertainty after the play, Haralson remained in the game and escaped the inning with just the one run given up as he got a strikeout, a ground out and a lineout to quell the Mulerider threat.

In the top of the fourth, Henderson added a run thanks to a solo home run. The Reddies then began to pull away with a pair of runs in the sixth and a four-run seventh to take a 9-1 lead.

SAU was resilient, however, and matched the Reddies' four-run seventh with four runs of their own in the bottom half.

All four runs scored on the strength of home runs as Trevor Rucker connected for a three-run homer which was then followed up by a solo shot by Mark Fontenot as the Muleriders went back-to-back. Prior to Rucker's homer, Josey Langston singled to centerfield and Michael Page doubled to left.

The Reddies were able to push their advantage back out to eight runs, however, with a pair of runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

ON THE MOUND

The Muleriders used four pitchers in the game with All-GAC First-Team pitcher Dalton Algiene getting the start. Algiene, who took the loss, pitched the first four innings and had four strikeouts before leaving the game prior to the fifth.

Eric Schildt was first in relief and he pitched three innings. Pake Montgomery was next and pitched 1.1 innings before Jake Alexander picked up the final two defensive outs for the Muleriders via the strikeout.

AT THE PLATE

The Muleriders had 10 hits in the game with six going for extra bases. Michael Page, Jacob Richardson, and James Trevanion all had doubles with Richardson hitting a pair of two-baggers.

SAU also hit a pair of home runs as Trevor Rucker and Mark Fontenot went back-to-back in the seventh inning.

For Rucker, it was his 18th home run of the season and 40th in his career. His season total is tied for the third-most in a single-season in school history, while his career mark is one back of tying the program record currently held by former All-American Cannon Lester.

ON DECK

The Muleriders will now face elimination the remainder of the GAC Tournament with their first elimination game against No. 2-seed Arkansas Tech. First-pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon at Clyde Berry Field in Arkadelphia, Ark.