Storm Fall in Series Opener to SAU

DURANT, Okla. – What started out as a pitcher's duel for six innings saw Southern Arkansas score four runs over the seventh and eighth innings as Southeastern dropped the series opener on Friday 5-1 at The Ballpark in Durant.
 
The loss dipped the Savage Storm to 1-6 on the year and 0-1 in Great American Conference play with the final two games of the series slated to begin at noon on Saturday.
 
The Muleriders took advantage of an SE error in the third inning, picking up an unearned run to go up 1-0.
 
The Storm answered with small ball in the fifth as Ty Hanson opened the inning by getting hit by a pitch before moving to second on a Jake Perez sac bunt and third on a wild pitch.  He would score to knot the game at 1-1 on a Travis Spinney sacrifice fly to centerfield.
 
In the seventh SAU would capitalize on a single and a walk when Mark Fontenot connected on a three-run homer to right-center to take a 4-1 lead.
 
The visitors would add another run in the eighth to stretch it to 5-1.
 
SE would get runners on the corners in the eighth with one out, but was unable to cut into the deficit.
 
Spinney turned in a 2-for-3 effort at the plate with an RBI, while Brett Akins, Jett Swigart and Ty Hanson each added a hit.  Hanson also scored Southeastern's run.
 
Mike Wade got the start and tossed 5.0 innings, allowing an unearned run on seven hits, taking a no decision.
 
Brandon Wolski came on in relief and was tagged for three runs on three hits in 2.0 innings of work with one strikeout.
 
Jake Patterson would allow a run on two hits in an inning of work before Bailey Burks tossed the final inning without allowing a hit and striking out one.