Box Score MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The UAM baseball team defeated the Southern Arkansas Muleriders for the first time since the 2006 season tonight in non-conference action at Goodheart Field, 9-8.
The Weevils (4-1) racked up 12 hits on four different Mulerider (4-2) pitchers to secure their fourth win of the season, and their first over Southern Arkansas in five seasons. Both teams came up with two runs in the first. SAU’s Ziggie Vanderwall started the game walking the first three Weevils he faced. Taylor Eaves and Danny Loya both scored before the inning closed.
Southern jumped ahead with four runs in the bottom of the third, but UAM scored four runs on four hits in the top of the fourth to even the game right back at 6-6. Both teams added a single run in the sixth and seventh before the decisive eighth inning.
After a leadoff ground out, Taylor Eaves and Danny Loya drew walks to prime the bases for Wayne Hawkins. The senior doubled to right center and scored Eaves from second and put Loya at third with one out. A sacrifice fly from Josh Chism brought in the Weevils’ ninth run of the game before the inning closed.
Southern Arkansas tried to mount another comeback in the bottom of the ninth. They got one of the two runs they needed after Gaven McCauley was put on first by a bean ball. He then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. This allowed a sac fly to score him, but then Christian Gallegos clamed up and got Jody Spain to ground out to third with the tying run sitting on third base.
Wayne Hawkins led the Weevils with three hits, he finished with two RBI, a double and two walks. Four other Weevils finished with two hits, Danny Loya, Josh Chism, T.J. Cox, and Tyler Walker. The Mulerider pitchers gave up eight walks on the night.
Eddie Smith (2-0) got the win for the Weevils in four-and-two-thirds innings of work. He gave up one run on three hits, striking out two in 16 batters faced. Christian Gallegos got his first save of the season in two innings of work, closing out the win for UAM. Josh Reynolds (0-1) took the loss for Southern Arkansas.
The Weevils will return to action this Wednesday as they host the Delta State Statesmen in an afternoon single game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
