Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Three Southern Arkansas' pitchers held Harding scoreless for 16 innings as the Muleriders swept the Bisons 8-0 and 1-0 in a doubleheader Saturday in Great American Conference play at Goodheart Field.

Harding (18-10, 3-5 GAC) was last held scoreless in a doubleheader by Henderson State on April 10, 2010.

In the opener, Southern Arkansas (17-10, 7-4) scored six runs in the fourth inning to blow the game open. Senior Raphael Thomas had a two-run triple, and senior Jody Spain hit a three-run home run in the inning.

Harding junior starter Logan Holthaus (1-1) did not survive the fourth. He went 3.0-plus innings and allowed seven hits and four runs (three earned) while walking five and striking out one.

Holthaus gave way to freshman Andrew Fiddler, who allowed four earned runs on four hits and walked four over five innings. It was the first time Harding lost a game started by Holthaus this season. The Bisons had won the previous six.

Senior Doug Shields (5-1) pitched eight scoreless innings. He allowed seven hits but walked none and struck out eight. Senior Kyle Felts pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out the game.

Junior Kyle Atkins was the only Bison with multiple hits in the game. Atkins went 2-for-4 with his sixth double of the season.

Harding junior Hayden Shirley (3-2) held the Muleriders scoreless through 5 2/3 innings in game two. He then hit Southern Arkansas senior Gavan McCauley with a pitch with the bases loaded to force in the eventual game-winning run. The run scored without the benefit of a hit as Shirley walked three of the first four batters in the inning.

Sophomore Bronson Smith came on to get the last out of the sixth, but Harding went down in order in the seventh to end the game.

Southern Arkansas sophomore James Baune (5-0), who entered the game with the GAC's best ERA, lowered it to 1.25 with seven shutout innings that gave the Muleriders their sixth straight win.

Baune gave up only two hits—singles by senior Chase Presley and sophomore Chris Hardey—and walked sophomore Matt Calhoun twice.

The teams conclude the series Sunday at 2 p.m.