One big inning. That's all the No. 13 Southern Arkansas Muleriders had against the UAFS Lions on Thursday during their opening game of the Henderson State Invitational.

That, unfortunately for the Lions, was just enough.

Southern Arkansas hit a grand slam and a two-run home run as part of an eight-run sixth inning to rally past UAFS 9-6 at Clyde Berry Field in Arkadelphia, Ark.

It was the third-consecutive win this spring from the Muleriders (3-1) and just the first loss for the Lions (3-1), who were coming off a three-game series sweep of the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats this past weekend at Crowder Field.

UAFS will continue play in the HSU Invitational at 1 p.m. on Friday against the Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Rab Rodgers Field in Arkadelphia. Live statistics will be available.

Lions starter Javon Rigsby (0-1), who allowed only one run through the first five innings, suffered the loss, allowing six runs – four earned – on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings.

Rigsby gave up a one-out grand slam to Muleriders catcher Brett McGee in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at five runs apiece and then hit designated hitter Justin Hanlin to put the go-ahead run on base.

Junior right-hander Tyler Lindley relieved Rigsby and appeared on his way to getting the Lions out of the inning after getting right fielder Jansen McCurdy to fly out to right field. Lindley, though, gave up a two-run home run to left fielder Cole Boyd that gave the Muleriders' the lead.

An error, a walk and a single by shortstop Devin Beard again loaded the bases for the Muleriders with two outs. First baseman Mason Peterson capped the Muleriders' offensive outburst with a two-run single up the middle to give Southern Arkansas a four-run lead.

Lions reliever Boston Heil relieved Lindley and got center fielder Dakota Wright to fly out to right field to end the inning.
Southern Arkansas collected a combined nine hits off three of the four UAFS pitchers – redshirt freshman Zach Ross recorded the final two outs in the ninth inning – including four for extra bases.

McGee was 3 for 5 with a double, a home run and four RBIs, Boyd was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs, Peterson as 1 for 4 with two RBIs and McCurdy was 2 for 5 with one RBI.

UAFS collected a combined seven hits off two Southern Arkansas pitchers. Muleriders starter Garrett Walker (1-0) earned the win, allowing six runs – three earned – on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Southern Arkansas reliever Matt Kortendick allowed no runs on one hit over 3 1/3 innings to earn his first save.

Center fielder Travis Young was 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI, catcher Dylan Hurt was 2 for 4, shortstop Logan Easley was 1 for 5 with a double and one RBI and first baseman Kyle Love was 1 for 3 with one RBI.

UAFS took a 3-0 lead after the first inning. Hurt drew a one-out walk, Young singled and Easley doubled to drive in Hurt. Young then scored on a passed ball. Love drew a walk, and left fielder Tremarcus Koontz, who was this week's Heartland Conference Hitter of the Week, ground out to third base to drive in Easley for a three-run advantage.

With the Lions ahead 3-1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning, Hurt led off with a single and scored on a double by Young. Young scored on a one-out, sacrifice fly by Love to give the Lions a 5-1 lead.
 
HSU INVITATIONAL
NO. 13 SOUTHERN ARKANSAS 9, UAFS 6
Southern Arkansas      000      018      000      --          9          12        2
UAFS                          300      021      000      --          6          7          2
Walker, Kortendick (6) and McGee; Rigsby, Lindley (6), Heil (7), Ross (9) and Hurt. W – Walker, 1-0. L – Rigsby, 0-1. Sv – Kortendick (1). HRs – Southern Arkansas, McGee (1), Boyd (1)