ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita baseball team opened its Great American Conference series against Southern Arkansas with a 9-3 loss on Thursday at Rab Rodgers Field.
The Tigers (10-7, 5-5 GAC) and Muleriders (12-7, 7-3 GAC) traded momentum throughout the contest as both teams worked through key scoring opportunities in the early and middle innings.
SAU capitalized on timely hitting to build its advantage, while Ouachita continued to pressure offensively with multiple baserunners during the game. Ultimately, the difference came down to the three crooked numbers the Muleriders were able to put up, including a three-run fifth inning.
The Tigers went deep into their roster in Friday's game with 13 different hitters getting at least one at bat.
Octavio Mendivil led the team, going 2-for-3 at the plate, including an RBI single in the fourth inning. The other Tiger runs came across on an RBI single from
Jaren Ceasar in the fifth inning and on an SAU error in the seventh.
Games two and three of the series will be played as a double header on Friday. First pitch is set for noon at Rab Rodgers Field.
