Drovers Drop Double-Header at SAGU

WAXAHACHIE, Texas. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 19 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-9, 0-2 SAC) suffered a pair of close losses at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (16-5, 2-0 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 3-1 loss, followed by an 8-6 defeat in the second game of the day.

The Drovers entered the weekend having won each of the last 11 games against SAGU, but saw that win-streak snapped in game one of the day.

GAME 1-

After holding the Drovers scoreless in the top of the first, the Lions took an early lead with one run in the bottom of the first.

The score remained 1-0 until Christopher Martinez tied up the score with a solo-homerun in the top of the fourth inning.

SAGU reclaimed the lead with one run in the bottom of the fifth inning, followed by another insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. The Drovers were unable to rally in the seventh and suffered their first lost in conference-play.

Despite suffering the loss, Josh Harrel delivered a solid start on the mound for USAO, going all 6.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits and he struck out a pair of batters.

Christopher Martinez was a bright spot in the USAO lineup, going 1-3 with a solo-homer. Gage Gaunt finished 1-2 with a double and a walk. Anthony Hrynkiw concluded 1-2 with a single and a walk.

GAME 2-

The Drovers got off to a hot start in the second game of the day, striking for four runs in the top of the top of the first inning, but the Lions immediately responded with a trio of runs of their own in the bottom half of the first.

The Drovers clung to a 4-3 lead until the bottom of the third, when SAGU added three runs to take over the lead. 

USAO was able to bring across one run in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the score at 6-6, but the Lions pushed a pair of runs across in the bottom of the sixth to take over the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Megumi Fukuda got the start on the mound for the Drovers and was dealt the loss, surrendering five earned runs, three hits, and five walks, while striking out a pair of batters in 2.0 innings. 

Drew Shaver delivered 3.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing only one hit and he struck out six batters. Cameron Johnson pitched the seventh inning for USAO.

As a team, the Drovers produced eight hits, while the Lions only needed five to snatch the victory.

Peyton McDowall led the Drovers at the dish, going 2-3 with a double, a homerun, two runs scored, and three runs batted in.

Christopher Martinez also provided a pair of hits, finishing 2-4 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Nick Fleckenstein and Will Hoch each singled, scored, and drove in a run. Gabriel Arroyo went 1-4 with a run scored, and Ryan Duncan concluded 1-3.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Lions will conclude their three-game series on Sunday, March 5 in Waxahachie, Texas. First pitch of the series finale is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

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