Southern Arkansas University’s Ashton Atwell drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning and the nationally 15th-ranked Lady Muleriders went on to a 2-1 victory over nationally seventh-ranked Arkansas Tech University in game one of the NCAA Division II Tournament super regional at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex in Russellville on Wednesday.
Atwell’s one-out single to right field sent Darian Harris home with what proved to be the winning run. Harris had reached on a walk and advanced to second on a Maddie Dow single.
Arkansas Tech (49-10) put the tying and winning runs on base in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to Destiny Crumpley’s single and a walk to Kambri Hill, but SAU starting pitcher Kimmy Beasley was able to induce a game-ending pop out.
Beasley (25-4) limited the Golden Suns to one run on six hits in eight innings. She notched seven strikeouts as the Lady Muleriders improved to 50-9 on the season.
Arkansas Tech pitcher Jalissa Gum (22-3) was charged with two runs on four hits over eight innings. Gum recorded 12 strikeouts.
Game two of the super regional is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex.
The Golden Suns must win that game to force a decisive game three in the series, which would be played at approximately 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
The winner of the super regional will advance to the NCAA Division II Women’s College World Series May 17-21 in Denver, Colo.
Radio station KCAB 97.1 FM/980 AM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage on Thursday.
