The Bats Stay Hot as USAO Completes the Sweep Against Central Christian
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (20-13, 8-4 SAC) completed the three-game sweep with a 10-1 victory against Central Christian College (4-31, 1-14 SAC). On Friday, the Drovers opened the series with a pair of blowout victories on Friday evening, 13-2 and 16-1 respectively.
With the series-sweep, the Drovers are now 15-0 against the Tigers all-time, a series that dates back to March 16, 2018.
Science & Arts has been extremely impressive at the plate lately, having scored 72 runs in their last seven games. In total, USAO has scored at least 10 runs in a game on 11 different occasions this season, including a stretch of five times in the last seven games.
The Drovers captured an early lead in the series finale and never let their foot off the gas pedal. USAO scored one run in the first inning, courtesy of Christopher Martinez's fourth homerun of the season.
Science & Arts then rallied for five runs in the second inning, followed by one more in the fourth inning to take a 7-0 lead.
Central Christian scored their only run of the day in the top of the fifth inning, but the Drovers matched that with one run in the bottom of the sixth inning. USAO added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach.
Reed Butz got the start on the mound for the Drovers, and he delivered an incredible performance. Butz improved his record to 6-2 as he went 7.0 innings and allowed only one run on two hits, while striking out a dozen batters.
Boone Lasater and Alden Norquist each tossed scoreless innings in relief.
Starting pitching was a major key to success for the Drovers over the weekend. On Friday, Josh Harrel allowed one run and struck out eight batters in 6.0 innings, followed by Drew Shaver allowing one run and struck out 10 batters in 6.0 innings.
In the win, Science & Arts compiled 14 hits from seven different players.
Peyton McDowall once again led the offense, going 4-5 with a double and two runs batted in. McDowall was the SAC Player of the Week last week and has made a strong case to win the award again, going 10-13 (.769) with three doubles, a homerun, five runs scored, and six runs batted in during the series against CCC. Over the last seven games, McDowall is batting 17-28 (.607) with three doubles, three homers, eight runs, and 12 RBIs.
Christopher Martinez concluded 2-4 with a walk, a homer, and two runs batted in. Ryan Duncan had a very productive game, going 2-2 with a walk, three stolen bases, three runs scored, and two runs batted in.
Will Hoch finished 2-2 with a pair of walks and a pair of runs scored. Ben Lawson also tallied a pair of singles, going 2-4 with a pair of runs.
Gunnar Hansen and Nick Fleckenstein each singled and scored in the win.
USAO Baseball Schedule by The Numbers
- #15 in latest NAIA BO CHIP report
- #10 in latest RPI rankings
- #1 Strength of schedule in NAIA
- Only 2 of 14 opponents have sub .500 records
- Overall opponent W-L record is 252-176 (.589)
- 8 of 14 opponents have been ranked or receiving votes in Top 25 poll at some point this season
- USAO has won 8 of 11 "series" so far
- *series of 2 games or more*
- Series victories vs #9 Bellevue, RV McPherson, RV MACU, #17 TX Wes
- 9-8 record vs Top 25 or RV
- 17 of 32 total games have been against opponents that have been ranked or receiving votes in Top 25 poll at some point this season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will return to action on Tuesday, April 4 as they host a double-header against Bacone College. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark.
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