HOT SPRINGS, Ar. — Southern Arkansas didn’t perform like a nationally-ranked baseball team after four innings last Thursday in the Dugan Invitational at Majestic Park.
The Muleriders were outscored 7-2 in the final five innings by Missouri Southern in their season-and-tournament opener.
“After losing that game I had nothing new to say to my guys,” said SAU coach Justin Pettigrew. “Our players knew they didn’t play well. I think we came out on our heels, a little nervous. That was a good Missouri Southern team, and I tip my hat. They beat us last year in our final game.”
“Hopefully we’ll see them again in the postseason. Missouri Southern has eight-of-nine back in its lineup.”
Southern Arkansas wins final three
SAU (3-1) bounced back from that loss with a vengeance. It routed Rogers State, 17-4, Northeast Oklahoma State, 19-2, and Colorado School of Mines, 14-2. Two Texarkana seniors led the Muleriders in those three games with a combined seven hits, 12 runs, and nine RBI.
There were several others contributing. That list included Brandon Nicoll, Will Richardson, Josj Phillips, Trace Shoup, and Peyton Ballard. Starting pitcher Tim Ruffino was brilliant on the mound, and the bullpen turned in strong performances.
“Our guys did a good job of responding after losing the opener,” said Pettigrew. ” We were aggressive early the next three games. We’ve got a talented group. If we play like we did Friday, Saturday and Sunday, encouraging each other, and being aggressive, we’ll have a good chance of accomplishing our goals.
“We’ve got good starting pitchers, and guys in the back end. Having Isaiah Haynes back is a plus. He had a school record thirteen saves last season. Offensively, we showed what we’re capable of doing.”
Sutton, Lyles impress Pettigrew
Pettigrew was pleased to see Sutton and Lyles start the season hot.
“Both of those guys are class acts,” said the veteran coach. “Your program is going to be strong when you have those two leading your program. They’re going to do a lot of great things in our uniform. “They’ll do a lot of great things out of uniform. They’ll lead families the right way. I’ll want to stay in touch with them for years to come.”
Pettigrew came to SAU in 2005 after playing and coaching at Arkansas Tech. He was the pitching coach, and this is his eighth season as head coach. His career record during those previous seasons is 245-106 (.698). His teams have won four Great American Conference regular season titles, and three GAC postseason tournaments. The Mulerider advanced to the NCAA D2 World Series in 2022.
Asked if he wanted to stay in Magnolia and coach SAU, Pettigrew had a spiritual response.
“I’m where God wants me,” he said “If there’s a day where I feel God is wanting me to be somewhere else, or do something else, that’s what I’ll do. Now my focus is to be at Southern Arkansas, and be the best coach I can be for our guys. I know there’s more to this life, than coaching baseball. The thing is I have a platform where I can help guys be good players, and the best men they can be.”
Pettigrew is a native of Hot Springs, and graduate of Lake Hamilton High School. He is married to Corrie O’Dell Pettigrew, Thet have a son (Maddox) and daughter (Emma).