Magnolia, Ark. -- The No. 4-ranked Southern Arkansas Muleriders looked every bit the part in defeating the Missouri Southern Lions 13-1 in the season-opener for both schools Friday evening (Feb. 5) in Magnolia, Ark.

It didn't take long for the Muleriders to get to MSSU starter CJ Maffei, as they scored three runs in the bottom of the first thanks to a pair of walks and a dropped fly ball that scored two runs. 

Logan Williams then delivered a two-out RBI single that scored Jake Astor.

Another Lion error in the third inning led to two more runs as the Muleriders led 5-0 after three.

The Muleriders kept the pressure with another two-run inning in the fourth that featured a run-scoring single from Astor.

The Lions trailed 11-0 when they got on the scoreboard as Skyler Rawlins scored on a double-play groundout by Joe Lincoln.

Maffei pitched five innings and allowed seven runs but only three earned.

Hayden Simpson was superb on the mound for the Muleriders, striking out 13 in 5 2/3 innings with no runs allowed.

Jacob Taylor went 2-3 at the plate and drew a walk for the Lions. 

The Lions and Muleriders are scheduled to play a double-header tomorrow beginning at 4 p.m.