HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — No. 1 seed Southern Arkansas scored 12 runs and hit three home runs in the first four innings on Tuesday afternoon to pull away from No. 2 Henderson State early and win the 2022 GAC Tournament title, 17-9.

The Reddies (38-15) finished as conference runners-up for the fourth time and will now await the announcement of the NCAA Division II Central Regional bracket on Sunday, May 15 at 9 p.m. HSU was ranked No. 4 in the region in each of the first two rankings and is seeking back-to-back appearances for the first time in program history.

Henderson matched the Muleriders with 10 hits on Tuesday, but SAU took advantage of 13 walks issued by the Reddies and scored all 17 of their runs in the first six innings.

Cade Tucker had two hits and two RBIs in the title game for HSU, while both David Vilches and Kaden Argenbright hit home runs. 

Southern Arkansas scored five runs on two home runs to seize control in the second inning, then added five more in the third to jump out to a 10-1 advantage. A three-run fourth from HSU cut the deficit to 10-4, but that was as close as the Reddies would come.

Henderson had three players earn All-GAC Tournament honors: starting pitcher Spencer Taack, reliever Andrew Howard and third baseman Dillon Thomas.