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Carlos Rodriguez's one-out RBI single in the top of 11th-inning lifted Henderson State to a 9-8 win over 17th-ranked Southern Arkansas, Saturday in Magnolia, Ark.
After the Reddies turned an inning-ending double-pay in the bottom of the 10th-inning, Zac Zdanowicz led off the 11th with his third hit of the game by blasting a double to center field.
Playing fundamental baseball, Jeff Beck executed a sacrifice bunt to advance Zdanowicz to third base to set up Rodriguez. Rodriguez drove home the game-winner with a base-hit through the left side the infield.
Relief pitcher Jordan Wright set the Muleriders down in order in the bottom of the inning including striking out a pair of SAU batters. Wright pitched the final five innings, recording five punch outs and picking up his first win of the year to go along with five saves.
Southern Arkansas, 16-8 overall and 10-2 in the Great American Conference, built a 6-1 lead through six innings with the help of solo home runs by Tyler Cameron and Chris Quinn, and a two-run single by David Harris.
The Reddies, 14-6 overall and 8-4 in the GAC, tied the score at 6-6 with five runs in the seventh-inning.
The inning began with three straight singles by Ben Wainwright, Matt Evans, and Mitch Frey. Tadarious Hawkins then drove in the first two runs with an infield hit.
After the Reddies loaded the bases again and Beck scoring on a wild pitch, Michael Schell tied the score with a single to right field.
Southern Arkansas regained the lead in the bottom of the seventh, but the Reddies went back on top 8-7 in the top of the ninth.
Henderson State loaded the bases, but SAU was able to force Rodriguez to hit into a double-play. The Reddies were still able to score as Zdanowicz, who singled to lead off the inning, advanced home on the play.
Michael Schell put the Reddies on top with a double down the right field line to score Jeff Beck.
The Muleriders, however, were able to tie the score and force extra-innings with a single by Brady Capshaw.
Southern Arkansas managed to rebound and win the finale of the series 6-1 as Mulerider pitcher Phillip Menou limited the Reddies to just three hits.
Rodriguez collected four hits on the day while Schell had three hits and three RBI to lead the Reddie offense.
Henderson State will next play host to Ouachita Baptist in a non-conference game on Tuesday at Clyde Berry Field with the first pitch set for 2 p.m.
