MonticelloLive

The No. 4 Southern Arkansas Muleriders swept a three-game series from the University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team with final scores of 8-0, 31-0, and 12-1.
The Weevils, under the direction of interim head coach Carlos James for the first time this season, held the Muleriders scoreless for three innings in the first game, before allowing two runs in the fourth, one run in each of the fifth and sixth, and two runs in each of the seventh and eighth, resulting in the final 8-0 score.
 
Sophomore starting pitcher Kyle Thaxton (Blytheville, Ark.) held the Muleriders scoreless for three innings, a feat that has only been done four times this season, as SAU has the nation’s best offensive club.
 
Thaxton (0-6) recorded the loss after giving up only two hits and allowing two runs in the fourth inning, a lead that SAU never gave up.
 
Five Weevils recorded a base hit in the game, but none had more than one, aiding to the 13-5 SAU advantage in the hitting category.
 
In the second game, the Weevil pitchers were their own worst enemy, giving up a combined total of 19 walks, putting runners in scoring position for the Muleriders. SAU tallied a school record 31 runs in the game, a record they had already broken earlier this season with a 30-10 victory over Stillman.
 
Freshman Josh Hathcox (Bryan, Texas) recorded his fifth loss of the season after pitching the first inning, allowing five runs off four hits.
 
Senior Ryan Pilcher (West Monroe, La.) led the Weevils with a 2 for 3 performance from the dish, while freshman Ben Miller (El Dorado, Ark.) and freshman Josh Barnes (McGehee, Ark.) were responsible for the other two Weevil hits.
 
After a one hour and 19 minute rain delay on Sunday, the Muleriders completed the series sweep with a 12-1 win in seven innings.
 
The Weevils broke the series scoreless streak after jumping out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Matt Gardner (West Monroe, La.) did the damage with an RBI-double to left center field that scored sophomore Craig Caldwell (West Monroe, La.), who reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning.
 
Pilcher, Miller and freshman Michael Diffie (El Dorado, Ark.) were responsible for the other three Weevil hits.
 
Sophomore Kevin Lienard (Drew, Miss.) recorded his third loss of the season after pitching just over three innings, allowing six runs off three hits, and walking six of the 20 batters he faced.
 
With the three losses, the Weevils move to 0-26 overall and 0-9 in the GSC, while Southern Arkansas improves to 29-3 overall and 9-0 in the GSC.
 
UAM looks to get its first win of the season Saturday, Apr. 5, when the teams travels to Arkadelphia to face Ouachita Baptist for a three-game GSC series starting at 1 p.m. from Rab Rogers Field.