WONDER BOYS FALL IN SERIES FINALE AT FIFTH-RANKED
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS

         MAGNOLIA, Arkansas – The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Baseball fell 10-6 in its series finale here Sunday with fifth-ranked Southern Arkansas at Mulerider Field.

With the win, the Muleriders (31-8, 11-1 GSC) completed a three-game sweep of the Wonder Boys and remained in first place in the GSC West Division standings. Tech drops its record to 19-23 overall and 7-5 in the league and moved into a tie for third place with Harding, who completed a three-game sweep Sunday over Christian Brothers.

In Sunday’s series finale with the Muleriders, Tech jumped out to a 4-1 lead after three innings, but SAU scored three runs in three different innings to earn the victory.

          Tech opened the scoring in the first inning when freshman catcher Landon Sullins (Harrison, Ark.) doubled home a run off SAU starter Cole Lohden.

          The Wonder Boys added two runs in the second inning on a two-run single by senior second baseman Josh Holloway (Booneville, Ark.) and junior rightfielder Clint Stroud (Bonham, Texas) gave the Wonder Boys a 4-0 lead with his solo home run over the left field wall. The homer was the sixth of the season for Stroud.

          SAU rallied to tie the score off Tech sophomore pitcher Blaine Sims (Scott, Ark.) with a run in the third and three runs in the fourth inning.

          The Muleriders broke the tie in the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by James Schroeder and a two-run by homer by Brandon Graves to give the Muleriders a 7-4 advantage.

          Tech closed the gap to 7-6 in the seventh inning on a two-run homer by senior third baseman Tony Sanchez (Mesquite, Texas). The homer was just the first of the season for Sanchez and just the seventh in his Tech career.

          SAU added three insurance runs in the eighth inning when Patrick Johnson drove in a pair with a double and Nick Paschal added a RBI single off of junior reliever Chad Wynn (Bono, Ark.).

          Sims (1-5) was handed the loss, allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits, with two walks and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings of action. Wynn tossed two innings and allowed three hits and four runs, while walking one and fanning one.

          Brian Byrd (5-1) got the win in relief of Lohden for the Muleriders as he tossed six innings, giving up two runs on three hits, while walking none and striking out three.

          Stroud and junior leftfielder Jeremy Houchin (Springdale, Ark.) each went 2-for-4 to lead the Wonder Boys at the plate, while Sanchez and Holloway each had 2 RBIs in the loss. Tech finished the game with eight hits, but its defense committed three errors that led to two unearned runs.

          Dane Lucas led SAU offensively as he went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI, while Schroeder, Graves, and Johnson all drove in a pair of run for the Muleriders.

          The Wonder Boys will return to the friendly confines of Tech Field for the first time since March 22 when it hosts the University of the Ozarks in a non-conference nine inning game on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m.

          Southern Arkansas Box Score

-- Tech Athletics --