MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Despite holding a 4-0 after six and a half innings, the Ouachita Tigers fell to the Southern Arkansas Muleriders, 6-4, on Sunday. The Muleriders took the series, 3-0, with the victory.

John Franklin Matros started on the mound for Ouachita (7-17, 4-11 GAC) and held the Muleriders hitless through the first four innings and scoreless through the first five. A triple to lead off the bottom of the sixth, however, led to Southern Arkansas (17-9, GAC) finally scoring on a single up the middle. 

The Tigers took the first lead of the game on a two-run, four-hit second inning. Aaron Studdard started the rally with a single through the left side, and a two-out double from Ty Owens scored Studdard. Justin Weigle then singled through the left side, allowing Owens to score and give Ouachita a 2-0 lead.

Owens crossed home plate again in the fourth inning, when Ryan Hammer singled down the left field line to pick up his third RBI of the season. Owens led off the inning with his second double of the game, giving him a team-high six on the season. 

In the top of the sixth, Ouachita took a 4-0 lead after Chandler Blake tripled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Weigle. The Muleriders answered in the bottom of the inning with a lead-off triple and a single, but Matros recorded three consecutive outs to limit Southern Arkansas to just one run. 

Jacob May stepped on the mound in the bottom of the seventh to replace Matros, but the Muleriders eventually took a 5-4 lead on four hits, two walks and one hit batter. Josh Reeves finished the inning for the Tigers, forcing a fly-out with the bases loaded.

Lance Cullum came into pitch in the bottom of the eighth and allowed one run to give Southern Arkansas a 6-4 lead. Then, in the top of the ninth, Victor Draijer singled to left field, but the Tigers could not complete the comeback, as the Muleriders recorded consecutive outs to end the game.

May was handed just his first loss of the season, and Matros allowed just one run in sixth innings but had no decision. 

Ouachita recorded 13 hits in the contest, the second most in the game this season. Weigle batted in a team-high two runs, and Owens led the Tigers with two runs scored. 

The Tigers will take on Southern Arkansas again on Tuesday, as Ouachita hosts the Muleriders at Rab Rodgers Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.