#25 USAO Drops Series Opener in OKC

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Thursday night, the No. 25 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (27-16, 13-6 SAC) suffered a tough 8-2 loss in the series-opener at Oklahoma City University (21-17, 13-6 SAC).

After holding the Drovers scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Stars rallied for four runs in the home half of the first. OCU extended their lead to 5-0 with one more run in the bottom of the second.

Science & Arts managed to bring across their first run in the top of the third, but the Stars immediately retaliated with another run of their own. 

The score remained 6-1 until the top of the eighth when USAO brought in their second run, but OCU once again added some insurance, with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Drew Shaver suffered his first loss of the season, despite a gutsy performance on the mound. Shaver allowed only two earned runs on seven hits, and he struck out 10 batters in 7.0 innings. Nolan Gagnon and Cameron Johnson combined to pitch the eighth inning.

As a team, the Drovers produced five hits at the plate, with Peyton McDowall leading the way with a pair of hits. McDowall concluded 2-4 with a run scored.

Gage Gaunt doubled and went 1-4, while Nick Fleckenstein went 1-4 with a single. Ben Lawson concluded 1-2 with a pair of walks, a run scored, and a run batted in.

USAO Baseball Schedule by The Numbers

• #25 in latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll
• #22 in latest Perfect Game Top 25 Poll
• #14 overall in latest NAIA BO CHIP report
  • #10 vs NAIA opponents only*
• #19 in latest RPI rankings
• #6 Strength of schedule in NAIA

• Only 3 of 19 opponents have sub .500 records
  • Opponent win-loss record: 455-307 (.597)

• 10 of 18 NAIA opponents have been ranked or receiving votes in Top 25 poll at some point this season

• USAO has won 11 of 14 "series" so far
  • *series of 2 games or more*

• Series victories vs #5 Bellevue (2-0), #14 TX Wes (3-0), RV McPherson (2-1), RV MACU (2-1) 

• 9-6 record vs teams currently in Top 25 or RV

• USAO has won 5 of 6 conference series' so far.
  • 0-3 L at SAGU
  • 2-1 W vs MACU
  • 3-0 W vs TX WES
  • 3-0 W vs CCC
  • 2-1 W vs SCU
  • 3-0 W vs WBU

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Stars will close out the three-game series with a double-header at Jim Wade Stadium on Saturday, April 22. First pitch of the first game is scheduled for 12:00 PM in OKC.

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