Sports

Mulerider women saddled in for Clark County clash

Published

6 months ago

December 18, 2024

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Mulerider Women’s Hoops is back in action for one final outing before the Christmas break as Southern Arkansas is set for its final venture to Clark County this season to take on the defending Great American Conference Tournament champions, the Henderson State Reddies. The two groups have split their series over the past three seasons, each claiming victory over the other at home for all three campaigns (SAU vs HSU | Magnolia: 3-0 | Arkadelphia: 0-3).

Last season, the Muleriders had begun GAC play against the Reddies in Magnolia after starting the 2023-24 year 5-0. SAU would advance their record to 6-0 after defeating HSU 61-55 in a defensive battle. Following that contest, Southern Arkansas dropped its next four matchups while Henderson State improved each week, with losses only to teams ranked nationally or those that received national recognition. When the Reddies met the Muleriders for the second time last season, Henderson State handled the Blue and Gold with a final score of 60-81.

The two groups are set to begin another season series with the Muleriders looking to break the pattern on the road as SAU enters Arkadelphia on Thursday 7-3 and 2-2 in the GAC after defeating Ouachita Baptist on the road and Arkansas Tech at home. If anything, Southern Arkansas’ contest with ATU seems to be proof of patterns being disrupted as the Muleriders’ triumph against the Golden Suns was the first for the unit since the 2019-2020 season and the first since the 2014-2015 campaign that SAU defeated them at home.

Both the Muleriders and the Reddies have had similar beginnings to the 2024-25 GAC schedule after both teams fell twice while in Oklahoma in a similar fashion. The following week, Henderson State went to Russellville where they defeated Tech much like Southern Arkansas (83-70). The only difference between the programs’ week two of conference play was the loss the Reddies received at home against preseason favorite Harding in a tightly-contested overtime battle (88-94).

In that contest with the Bisons, sophomore guard Natalie Cardenas led the game in scoring with 32 points after she made 9-20 from the field, 4-8 from three-point range, and a very impressive 10-12 at the free throw line. Cardenas also acquired six rebounds and tied for the second-most on the team that game. Three other Reddies also had an impressive game, which were Brynlee Huggins, Sam Basson, and Marlee Raby. Basson and Raby both accounted for 17 points while Huggins was second in scoring for the Reddies with 18 points.

Last week for the Muleriders, the Matthews Era truly began to set in as the first-year head coach for Southern Arkansas claims a second defensive player of the week honor with Elena Lijo-Rodriguez winning the honor for the first time in her career, which marks the first time SAU Women’s Hoops have been rewarded multiple GAC POTW honors for two or more players in the same season.

The Muleriders have been dominating teams on defense with the most points surrendered all season being 70 points against the Golden Suns on Saturday. Nationally, the Southern Arkansas defense ranks 13^th, allowing just 52.0 points per game. The group is leading the Great American Conference defensively in scoring, defensive field goal percentage (35.0% | 32^nd nationally), and steals per game (11.9 | 33^rd nationally). Because of SAU’s defense, the team also leads the league for their scoring margin of 18.4, which is 18^th nationally.

Three different Muleriders have accounted for 100+ points on the season. Leading the team in scoring is Addy Tremie with 126 so far (12.6 ppg). The Sulphur, Louisiana native has made 48-117 (41.0%) and is also leading the team in three-point shots made with 25, and is second in the conference for her three-point attempts (67), percentage (37.3%), makes, and made per game (2.5).

Leading the team, the conference, and the Central Region in steals is Marlee Bright as the junior averages 4.00 steals per game and has accounted for 40 on the season. Those numbers rank her average fourth in Division II and her total fifth in Division II. Finally, the native of Amity, Arkansas is also the team’s, the conference’s, and the Central Region’s leader for total assists with 64 assists this season, which ranks third in Division II.

Southern Arkansas will face Henderson State inside the Duke Wells Center on Thursday at 5:30 PM with live links to streaming and live stats available at www.MuleriderAthletics.com/coverage.

Sports

Hogs Punch Ticket To Super Regionals

Published

1 day ago

June 2, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas (46-13) secured its spot in the NCAA Super Regionals with a dominant 8-3 win over Creighton (43-16) Sunday night at Baum-Walker Stadium. With the victory, the Hogs set a program record with their 35th home win of the season and will host next weekend’s super regional against either Tennessee or Wake Forest.

The appearance marks Arkansas’ 11th super regional in program history and sixth time hosting, including four since 2018. With top seeds Vanderbilt and Texas eliminated, No. 3 Arkansas is now the highest remaining seed in the tournament.

Pitching stole the spotlight as Gage Wood and Gabe Gaeckle combined for 20 strikeouts. Wood struck out a career-high 13 over six innings, while Gaeckle fanned seven in three scoreless innings to close it out.

The Razorback bats backed up the pitching with four home runs. Logan Maxwell launched two—including a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the fifth—while Justin Thomas Jr. hit a three-run blast and Ryder Helfrick added a solo homer. Charles Davalan capped the scoring with an RBI triple in the sixth.

Creighton’s only offense came via a three-run homer in the fourth, but Arkansas never relinquished its lead.

Maxwell led the offense with a three-RBI night and raised his season average to .346. Helfrick, who hit his third homer in two days, was named MVP of the Fayetteville Regional.

Sports

Hogs set to host Fayetteville regional

Published

1 week ago

May 27, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas has earned its 36th NCAA Tournament berth and will host the Fayetteville Regional as the No. 3 national seed.

The Razorbacks (43-13) will play No. 4 seed North Dakota State (20-31) in the opening game at 2 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Baum-Walker Stadium, airing on ESPN+. The regional also features No. 2 seed Kansas (43-15) and No. 3 seed Creighton (41-14), who will face off at 7 p.m.

Arkansas is hosting a regional for the 12th time in program history and the seventh time in the last eight full seasons. Should they advance, the Hogs would maintain home-field advantage through the super regional round, which they would host for the sixth time overall.

The Razorbacks boast a 32-4 record at Baum-Walker this season, just two wins shy of tying the single-season home record of 34.

The winner of the Fayetteville Regional will meet the winner of the Knoxville Regional, where No. 14 seed Tennessee hosts Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and Miami (OH), in the super regionals from June 6-9.

A record 13 SEC teams qualified for this year’s tournament: Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, and Vanderbilt. That breaks the previous record of 11 SEC teams, set last year. Eight SEC schools, including Arkansas, are hosting regionals.

Fayetteville Regional Schedule:

Friday, May 30
Game 1 – Arkansas vs. NDSU – 2 p.m.
Game 2 – Kansas vs. Creighton – 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 31
Game 3 – Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 2 p.m.
Game 4 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 8 p.m.

Sunday, June 1
Game 5 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser – 2 p.m.
Game 6 – Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 8 p.m.

Monday, June 2 (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Time TBD

Sports

SouthArk Announces New Men’s Basketball Coach

Published

2 weeks ago

May 22, 2025

Staff Reports

EL DORADO — South Arkansas College has named Eric Collins of Augusta, Maine, as the next head coach of its men’s basketball team. Collins, a U.S. Army veteran and experienced coach, will become the third head coach in the program’s history, succeeding Cam Robinson, who held the position for three seasons.

Collins currently serves as the associate head coach at the University of Maine-Augusta, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). He brings more than five years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels in the Northeast.

A Maine native, Collins describes his coaching philosophy as rooted in four pillars: passion, leadership, culture, and accountability.

“I coach to build men—not just players,” Collins said. “My mission is to lead through relationships, set a shared standard of excellence, and create a culture where young men grow—as athletes, students, and people. My family and I are pumped to become part of the SouthArk and El Dorado communities.”

SouthArk Athletic Director Jenny Sanders expressed excitement over Collins’ hiring, noting his energy and commitment to student development.

“Coach Eric Collins brings immense passion and excitement to the campus and to the basketball court,” Sanders said. “I am excited to see the lasting impact he will have on the young men he coaches, on our campus, and within our community.”

Collins, along with his wife Brandi and their children, will officially relocate to El Dorado ahead of his full-time start date on July 1. In the meantime, he is actively recruiting to fill out the Star Force roster for the upcoming season.

Sports

Legendary Arkansas Coach Passes Away Saturday

Published

1 month ago

May 4, 2025

Staff Reports

Harold Horton

FAYETTEVILLE – Harold Horton, a revered figure in Arkansas football history, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. His family confirmed his passing through social media.

Born in DeWitt, Arkansas, Horton played as a defensive back for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 1959 to 1961 under legendary coach Frank Broyles. During his playing career, the Razorbacks secured or shared the Southwest Conference (SWC) championship each season and won the 1960 Gator Bowl.

After a brief stint coaching high school football, Horton returned to the University of Arkansas in 1968 as an assistant coach. Over the next 13 years, he served under Broyles and later Lou Holtz, helping to shape some of the Razorbacks’ most formidable defensive units.

In 1982, Horton became head coach at the University of Central Arkansas, where he compiled a remarkable 74–12–5 record over eight seasons. Under his leadership, UCA won back-to-back NAIA Division I national championships in 1984 and 1985 and captured seven consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles from 1983 to 1989.

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Head Coach Nathan Brown paid tribute to Horton, stating, “Prayers for the Coach Harold Horton family today. Coach Horton was one of the great coaches in UCA Football history. Him and his staffs brought championships and pride to the Bear program. Thanks for always supporting and rooting for me and the Bears over the years.”

Following his coaching career, Horton returned to the University of Arkansas in 1990 to work in football operations. He later served as president of the Razorback Foundation from 2001 to 2012, playing a key role in fundraising and athletic development initiatives. His devotion to the Razorbacks spanned nearly four decades.

Horton’s legacy lives on through his family, including his son, Tim Horton, a former Razorbacks wide receiver who went on to a successful college coaching career of his own.

Sports

Hogs Shut Out Texas In Series Opener

Published

1 month ago

May 2, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE – Behind a dominant outing from Zach Root, No. 11 Arkansas (38-9, 15-7 SEC) rolled to a 9-0 shutout win over No. 1 Texas (38-6, 19-3 SEC) in Thursday night’s series opener at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Root struck out a career-high 11 batters and allowed just two hits and two walks over a career-long eight innings. Veteran reliever Will McEntire closed out the combined two-hit shutout with a scoreless ninth, adding three strikeouts.

With the win, Arkansas improved to 28-3 at home this season and secured its eighth straight year with at least 28 home victories. The Razorbacks have now reached that milestone every full season since 2017.

The offense gave Root plenty of support early. Carson Boles launched a two-run homer in the second inning to put the Hogs on top, 2-0. Cam Kozeal extended the lead to 5-0 in the third with a two-out, three-run shot to right center.

Arkansas broke the game open in the fourth with four more runs. Justin Thomas Jr. drove in one with a single, followed by a two-run double from Wehiwa Aloy and an RBI single from Kuhio Aloy, giving the Razorbacks a 9-0 cushion.

Kozeal finished with three RBIs and is now slashing .362/.409/.656 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs this season. Wehiwa Aloy raised his team-best slash line to .369/.454/.723.

The Razorbacks will look to clinch the series Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network with Karl Ravech and Kyle Peterson on the call.