CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | ENID, Okla. –Needing two wins to capture the 2018 Great American Conference Baseball Championships, Southern Arkansas picked up a 5-2 win against Oklahoma Baptist in Tuesday’s first game from David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
 
The Muleriders (35-17) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the lead. Austin Baker led off the first inning with a bloop double down the right field line before Dakota Wright drove in a pair of runs on a triple to the right-center gap. Cole Boyd then plated Wright third with a base hit through the left side.
 
SAU added two more runs in the fifth inning to increase its advantage to 5-0. After GAC Player of the Year Jacob Richardson tagged a ball down the line for a ground-rule double, Wright picked up two more RBI with A single into left field.
 
The Bison (31-16) chipped away at the five-run deficit in the sixth inning when PJ Harris doubled to score Jake Gozzo. In the seventh, a booted ball by SAU shortstop Riley Orr allowed Garrett McKee to cross and cut the Mulerider lead to 5-2.
 
SAU closer Eric White entered with the bases loaded in the seventh. He struck out Jake Gozzo en route to recording a perfect 2.1 innings of relief work. He struck out three to pick up his seventh save. Dillion Lawrence earned the victory after he gave up just one earned in his 6.2 innings of work. He struck out six.