BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech softball team held the Great American Conference's top offensive team in Southern Arkansas scoreless through the first four innings of the championship game on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell in the title bout, 3-0.
Unfortunately, with the loss and entering the tournament firmly on the bubble as the No.9-ranked team in the final region rankings, the Golden Suns will now have to have wait anxiously to have their name called during the NCAA Selection Show to see if their season will continue. The selection show, which will stream on NCAA.com, is scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 11.
The first run to score in what was a battle between the top-two teams in the GAC came in the bottom of the fifth. SAU would get a leadoff double in that inning and then went to a pinch-runner. After a popped up bunt was recorded for the first out, the Golden Suns got the second out on a fly ball to center. On that play, the Muleriders were aggressive and tagged to try for third.
An otherwise on-target throw to third looked like it had a chance for a double play, but it fortuitously struck the baserunner's foot and caromed toward the third base dugout, allowing the run to score.
SAU would add two more runs of insurance in the bottom of the sixth.
In what was their final time to the plate in the top of the seventh, the Golden Suns collected their first hit of the game with a leadoff single from
Aubree Jones. A double play followed to erase the leadoff hit and put SAU one out away from the win.
Golden Suns' senior and Bentonville native
Caroline Wilhelm extended the inning and game with single to center, but SAU retired the next batter to end the game.
