#19 USAO Sweeps Double-Header Against #5 Bellevue University

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Sunday afternoon, the No. 19 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (8-5, 0-0 SAC) recorded an impressive double-header sweep against No. 5 ranked Bellevue University (4-2, 0-0 NSAA). The Drovers opened the day with an 8-2 victory, followed by a 14-3 "mercy rule" victory in the finale. 

GAME 1-

The Drovers managed to score early and often in the first game of the day, beginning with one run in the bottom of the first inning, followed by one more in the second.

With the score 2-0 going into the bottom of the third, USAO added four insurance runs to hold a comfortable 6-0 lead. 

Bellevue scored their first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning, but the Drovers immediately responded with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

The Bruins cut their deficit to 8-2 with a run in the top of the sixth, but it was far too little, too late for the Bruins. 

Megumi Fukuda was a force to be reconned with on the mound, as he improved his record to 2-1. Fukuda allowed only one earned run and three hits as he struck out five batters in 6.0 innings pitched.

Alden Norquist delivered a scoreless inning of relief in the seventh, striking out a pair of batters.

As a team, Science & Arts compiled eight hits, coming from eight different players.

Gage Gaunt contributed a great offensive performance, going 1-2 with a homerun, two runs scored, and three runs batted in.

Will Hoch and Antonio Hrynkiw each reached base in every at bat. Hoch finished 1-1 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored, while Hrynkiw went 1-1 with a double and a run batted in.

Nick Fleckenstein and Christopher Martinez each doubled in the win. Fleckenstein scored once, while Martinez added a walk, a RBI, and a pair of runs scored. 

Gabriel Arroyo and Peyton McDowall each singled, and Ryan Duncan went 1-2 with a pair of runs batted in.

GAME 2-

Science & Arts started the finale with a bang, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by one more in the second inning. 

With a 5-0 lead going into the third inning, the Drovers managed to add a pair of runs, followed by a SEVEN-run effort in the fourth inning. 

The Drovers maintained a 14-0 lead going into the sixth inning, when the Bruins were able to break the shutout and score their first run of the game. Bellevue added two more runs in the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough to extend the game, as the "mercy rule" came into effect with the Drovers winning by at least 10 runs after seven innings of action.

Reed Butz was stellar on the mound, tossing 5.0 innings of one-hit ball. Butz struck out 11 batters as he earned his first win of the season.

JD Prather and Boone Lasater each threw an inning of relief to help the Drovers wrap up the win.

As a team, the Drovers produced 11 hits, coming from eight different players. Nick Fleckenstein, Peyton McDowall, and Will Hoch each led the squad with two-hit performances. Fleckenstein contributed a 2-5 performance, which included a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. McDowall concluded 2-4 with a homerun, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Will Hoch continued his terrific day, going 2-3 with a homer, a double, a hit by pitch, two runs scored, and three RBI's.

Christopher Martinez drove in a pair of runs and he scored twice as he finished 1-4 with a double. Gabriel Arroyo concluded 1-2 with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Gage Gaunt produced 1-2 with a pair of walks and three runs scored. 

Antonio Hrynkiw finished 1-4 with a RBI, and Ryan Rodriguez went 1-4 with a stolen base and a pair of runs batted in.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action at Bill Smith Ballpark next weekend as they host a 4-game series against McPherson College. Saturday's (Feb. 25) double-header is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM, followed by a noon start time on Sunday (Feb. 26). 

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