GAME DAY INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS 5-4 (3-0 GAC)	#10 SOUTHERN ARKANSAS MULERIDERS 4-2 (2-1 GAC)
Saturday, March 6 | 1 p.m. | DH Russellville, Ark. | Baswell Field LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO Sunday, March 7 | 1 p.m. Russellville, Ark. | Baswell Field LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – It will have been nearly a full calendar year to the day, but the Arkansas Tech baseball team will finally play a game at home at Baswell Field as they are set to host No. 10-ranked Southern Arkansas in a three-game Great American Conference series beginning on Saturday, March 6.
 
The last home game played by the Wonder Boys came back on March 7, 2020 against East Central. That day, the Wonder Boys split a doubleheader with the Tigers and won the nightcap 12-10. Less than a week after that, the 2020 baseball season, like all other spring sports, was abruptly canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
In preparing to make their home debut, the Wonder Boys are off to a 5-4 start overall and are 3-0 in GAC play after sweeping their series at East Central last weekend. That weekend, the Wonder Boys got solid pitching all-around and a breakout performance by their offense.
 
In the three games, the Wonder Boys' pitching staff allowed just five earned runs and struck out 32 Tigers in 23.0 innings of work. Patrick Miner, who started game one of the series went on to earn GAC Pitcher of the Week honors after pitching 7.0 innings and allowing just one earned run and striking out a career-high nine.
 
On the offensive end, the Wonder Boys scored 31 runs and racked up 37 hits with 16 of those going for extra bases. Four Wonder Boys slugged at least .900 with Jonathon Arrieta and Josh Detweiler each slugging 1.000 or higher. Arrieta had a home run and three doubles while Detwiler had a home run and two doubles. Trace Maddux and Matt Robbins were the other two with a .900 slugging or better. Maddux had two triples and Robbins notched three doubles and a triple.
 
Overall, the Wonder Boys have six players batting .300 or better. Arrieta leads the team in average at .429 (12-for-28). He also leads the team in home runs (3) and RBIs (11). His six extra-base hits are tied for the team-lead with Robbins at six.
 
In terms of pitching, the Wonder Boys have used the same three starters for their weekend rotation. Combined the trio of Hayes Cox, Patrick Miner, and Riyan Rodriguez have gone 5-2 with 49 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work. Cox has the most wins with three and the lowest ERA among starters at 2.37.
 
Opposing the Wonder Boys are the SAU Muleriders, who will enter the weekend 4-2 overall and 2-1 in GAC play after taking two of three from Southwestern Oklahoma.
 
The Muleriders are hitting .294 as a team and have five players over .300 and three over .400 in terms of batting average. Josh Walker has the best average at .417 (5-for-12). Two of Walker's five hits have left the ballpark. The top power hitter thus far is Brett McGee as he has a team-best four home runs and six RBIs.
 
On the mound, the Muleriders have a 3.35 team ERA. Parker Abrego has the most wins on the staff with two in two starts. Zach Smith has the lowest ERA among starters at 2.77.
 
NOTE
Fan attendance inside the ballpark will be on a limited basis. Only those on the player-coach pass list will be allowed entry inside the ballpark. Open seating on a first-come-first-serve basis is allowed in the two bleachers beyond the outside of the outfield fence.
 
For a full reference on the ATU Outdoor Fan Attendance Policy, click HERE