BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - SAU guard Jalen Brooks was named the 2019 GAC Freshman of the Year, while sophomore brother DeVante Brooks was an All-GAC First-Team selection. Senior guard CJ Elkins was recognized as an honorable mention All-GAC performer, while sophomore forward Charlie Thomas was named as a GAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.
J. Brooks is the second Mulerider basketball player to garner the league’s Freshman of the Year honor, joining Elkins who took home the award in 2015-16. Thomas owns a 3.92 GPA in Business Administration: Finance-Analysis.
In other sports, No. 9 SAU fell 5-2 to No. 1 Delta State Wednesday night at Goodheart Field. The Muleriders (13-5, 8-1-GAC) struck out 13 times compared to 10 strikeouts for the Statesmen (15-2, 7-0 GSC), and grounded into double plays that ended the first and eighth innings. Austin Baker and Brett McGee both went 2-for-3 at the plate, with Baker getting a double and McGee driving in a run.
The Mulerider baseballers return to GAC action at home tonight (6 p.m.) and Saturday (doubleheader starting at 1 p.m) against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
In SAU softball, the Lady Muleriders are ranked No. 1 in the National Fastpitch Coach Association Division II Poll for the first time in program history. They will be on the road for a pair of GAC doubleheaders today (1 p.m.) and Saturday (11 a.m.) at Southwestern Oklahoma State in Alva, Okla.