Mueller Powers Storm to Win in Series Opener

SEMINOLE, Okla. – Nick Mueller collected three hits and drove in four runs while Southeastern pitching struck out 14 hitters on its way to a 7-4 win over rival East Central to open the series on Friday night in Seminole, Okla.
 
The win moves the Savage Storm to 19-28 overall on the season and 14-17 in Great American Conference play with the two remining games of the series remaining, but not yet set in stone as weather has forced schedule changes throughout the league for the weekend.
 
Nick Mueller paced Southeastern's offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with four RBI and two runs scored.
 
He finished the night with a double and a grand slam.
 
Brady Evans, Wesley Mitchell, Chase Keeton, Carter Olson, Austin Thorp, and Ryan Kirk each logged a hit, while Evans, Olson, and Thorp each drove in a run.
 
Daniel Collins got the start and tossed 5.2 innings but took a no decision after allowing four runs on five hits despite seven strikeouts.
 
Austin Hilebrandt followed with one-third of an inning of work and recorded the win and a strikeout.
 
Carson Abbot tossed an inning in relief and allowed a hit while striking out two before handing to Cody Pfeffer who recorded his second save of the year with two innings of work without allowing a run and striking out four.
 
Austin Thorp put the Storm on the board in the top of the second inning with an RBI single to plate Mueller for the early 1-0 lead.
 
SE tacked on a second run in the top of the third on an RBI double by Evans to score Kirk, taking a 2-0 lead midway through the third.
 
The Tigers answered by loading the bases in the bottom of the third, setting the table for a grand slam to take a 4-2 lead after three innings.
 
The scoring slowed until the seventh inning when the Storm finally found its answer with Olson driving in a run on a single up the middle and setting the table for Mueller to connect on a grand slam of his own, putting SE in front 7-4 midway through the seventh.
 
Southeastern closed out the game by striking out six of the final 10batters to come to the plate over the final three innings, with Pfeffer tossing the final two innings to earn the save.