MAGNOLIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers opened a three-game series with the Southern Arkansas Muleriders on Saturday, dropping both games of a doubleheader. Southern Arkansas defeated Ouachita 5-3 in the first game and 3-2 in the second.

The Muleriders (16-9, 9-5 GAC) took advantage early in the first game of the day, scoring three runs in the first inning. Ouachita (7-16, 4-9 GAC) pulled within two runs in the top of the fourth when Kyle Alexander singled to left field, scoring Justin Weigle from second. 

Southern Arkansas extended its lead with a run in both the fifth and sixth innings, but the Tigers answered with a two-run seventh inning to cut the deficit to 5-3. Preston Speers led off the inning with a single, and he later scored on an RBI from Aaron Studdard. Victor Draijer also batted in a run in the inning, scoring Alexander, who was hit by a pitch. 

In the eighth inning, Weigle walked with one out, but consecutive strikeouts allowed the Muleriders to escape without giving up a run. In the ninth, Ty Owens walked with one out and Studdard singled to push Owens to second. A line-out and strikeout ended the game, however, with Southern Arkansas ahead.

Connor Eller was handed the loss for the Tigers but pitched a complete game. Eller finished with just three earned runs allowed and four strikeouts. 

Ouachita took the early lead in the second game, as Draijer's single in the second inning allowed two runs to score for the Tigers. Speers led off the inning with a walk, and Ryan Hammer followed with a single on a bunt. After Austin White walked to load the bases, Draijer put the ball in right field, and the Tigers took a 2-0 lead.

An error by the Tigers to start the bottom of the fourth inning eventually led to two unearned runs for the Muleriders, tying the score. In the fifth, Southern Arkansas looked to take the lead after putting runners on the corners with two outs, but Connor Reed escaped the inning after forcing a pop-up to Weigle at shortstop. 

In the sixth, Will Wallace was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second after Speers walked, and later to third on a fly-out. Ouachita could not capitalize, however, leaving two runners on base. In the top of the seventh, White doubled to left field to start the inning, but the Tigers could not cross home plate once again, and the score remained tied.

Southern Arkansas led off the bottom of the seventh with two walks, before Josh Reeves stepped on the mound for the Tigers. Back-to-back sacrifice bunts then allowed the Muleriders to load the bases and finally score to steal the win.

Reed pitched six innings for the Tigers and was handed the loss, despite giving up just one earned run. He also struck out three batters.

The Tigers will wrap up their series against the Muleriders on Sunday, with one nine-inning game scheduled for 1 p.m. in Magnolia.