MEMPHIS—Senior outfielder Kathleen Nelson (Bartlett, Tenn., Bolton HS) broke the Christian Brothers University single-season home run record, but visiting Southern Arkansas took advantage of three big innings as they rolled to a 10-4, 9-1 sweep of the Lady Bucs Friday afternoon at Bland Field.

The first game was a pitchers' duel for six innings.  The Lady Bucs (10-26, 3-19 GSC) struck first in the bottom of the first inning as Marie Joiner (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente HS) singled and scored on a wild pitch, and the Lady Muleriders (14-37, 8-20) knotted the game with a fifth-inning Julie Essary homer.

The homer was one of only three hits allowed by Kaylea Brewer (Pulaski, Tenn./Giles County HS) in the first six innings, as she also gave up bunt singles in the first and sixth innings.  In the seventh, however, Brewer ran out of gas.  A double, a walk, and a hit batter loaded the bases for a Brittany Wood triple that put SAU in front for good.  A pitching change couldn't put out the fire, as the Lady Muleriders eventually plated nine runs in the inning on five hits, three walks, and a hit batter.

In the bottom of the inning, a hit batter and a single set the table for Nelson's record-breaking seventh homer.  She had been tied with Alana Kramer, who hit six last season.  She already held the career home run mark with 15, two ahead of Casey King (Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound HS), who is in second place.

King went 3-for-3 in the game, while Nelson drove in three runs.

The second game was a near-mirror image of the first, with a 1-1 tie giving way late in the game to an SAU offensive explosion.

SAU claimed the early lead in the second game, with two singles, a steal, and a passed ball creating a run.  In the bottom of the inning, Nelson tied it as she reached on a dropped third strike, and King doubled her home for the tie.

The 1-1 tie held until the fifth inning, as Kim Adams (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS) held SAU to just three singles in the first four frames.  Similar to Brewer in the opener, she ran out of gas with two out in the fifth inning.  Three singles and a walk broke the tie, and Chelsea Knox blasted a grand slam to center to increase the lead to 6-1.

SAU tacked on three more in the sixth on two doubles and two singles to set the final margin.

King went 2-for-3 in the second game to lead the Lady Bucs' offense.

The Lady Bucs celebrate senior day tomorrow before taking on SAU for the second doubleheader of the series.  The Lady Bucs will honor their seniors, Nelson, Kim, Brewer, and #Jessica Ambers", in pregame ceremonies at approximately 11:30 a.m. before a noon first pitch.