MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Lady Statesmen softball team still needs a win over Southern Arkansas University to clinch a spot in the Gulf South Conference tournament after losing two tight games to the Lady Muleriders, 2-1 in nine innings and 7-5. 

The Lady Statesmen (25-23, 13-15 GSC) scored a run in the top of the first inning in the second game, but Southern Arkansas (8-31, 7-17 GSC) plated four runs in the bottom of the inning, chasing starter Kate Moreland after she gave up six hits in one-third of an inning. 

Southern Arkansas stretched their lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning before the Lady Statesmen began mounting a comeback. In the top of the sixth, Brittany Tillery hit a two-RBI single to cut the lead to 6-3. 

The Lady Muleriders added a run in the bottom of the sixth to stretch the lead back to four. The Lady Statesmen plated two runs on RBIs by Kristi Basso and Chelsea Carr. Tillery was then intentionally walked after Callie Weaver's two-out double to load the bases. With the score 7-5 SAU, Brittany Eikner's line-drive was plucked out the air by diving second baseman Katelyn Worsham to end the game. 

Kate Moreland (4-7) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in one-third of an inning. Edie Oliver allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings of relief. 

Rachel Heidemann (1-9) earned her first win of the season, allowing three runs on nine hits in five innings. 

In the first game, Oliver was solid in the circle, holding the Lady Muleriders to one run through eight innings, but in the bottom of the ninth, Worsham's fly ball to right was lost in the sun to fall in for the game-winning RBI. Oliver fell to 17-11 on the season, allowing two runs on 10 hits in 8.2 innings with five strikeouts and one walk. 

Akexandra Doyle (6-20) held the Lady Statesmen to just one run on five hits with six strikeouts and one walk in nine innings. 

The Lady Statesmen will face the Lady Muleriders again Thursday, April 23, with a double-header scheduled to begin at noon. The two-game set will conclude the regular season for Delta State.