Drovers Compile 24 Runs and Sweep McPherson

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (3-1, 0-0 SAC) extended their win-streak to four and completed the three-game sweep against McPherson College (1-4, 0-0 KCAC). After winning Thursday night's series opener 9-4, the Drovers followed with a hard-fought 5-2 victory in Friday's first game and a 19-4 blowout in the series finale. 

After sweeping the series, USAO has won each of the last five games against McPherson and the Drovers improve to 5-2 against the Bulldogs all-time, dating back to February of 2022. 

-GAME 1-

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning and held a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth when Peyton McDowall evened the score with a solo-homerun. USAO took the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth inning and owned a 3-1 advantage until the eighth inning. McPherson used a solo-homer to pull within one, but USAO was able to add a pair of insurance runs on Ben Lawson's two-RBI double, down the left field line. 

Both teams concluded with six hits at the plate, and the Drovers reached the bases on seven walks, while the Bulldogs only drew two free passes. USAO stranded seven runners on the basepaths, while MC stranded 10 runners.

USAO used a pair of strong pitching performances to shut down the Bulldog offense. Kyler Denton earned his first win of the year as he pitched the opening 4.0 innings, allowing only one earned run on three hits. Ryan Cullinane pitched the final 5.0 innings and only surrendered one run on three hits, and he struck out seven batters.

Peyton McDowall powered USAO's offense, going 2-3 with a double, a homer, a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Devin Alvarez also collected a pair of hits, going 2-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Gage Ninness concluded 1-3 with a walk, a run, and a RBI. Ben Lawson finished 1-4 with a double and two RBIs.

-GAME 2-

The series finale got started with a bang, as the Bulldogs blasted a three-run homer to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. However, the lead was short lived as USAO would respond with EIGHT runs of their own in the bottom half of the first. The Drovers extended the lead to 9-3 with one run in the bottom of the second. USAO added five runs in the third, followed by three more runs in the fourth to take a 17-4 lead. USAO scored once in the fifth and once in the sixth to put the game well out of reach. 

The Drover offense had an incredible mix of patience and power as they got on the bases with seven hits, 15 walks, and they reach on four fielding errors by McPherson. In comparison, McPherson was able to reach on seven hits, but they did not draw any walks and the USAO defense did not make any fielding errors. 

Jared Adams got the start for USAO on the mound and improved his record to 2-0 so far this season. Adams worked around six hits and four runs to strikeout six batters. Naton Herchock delivered a scores inning in the sixth, followed by a scoreless frame from Alden Norquist in the seventh.  

Christopher Martinez highlighted the Drover offense, going 2-4 with a pair of homers, three runs scored, and four runs batted in. Gavin Machado also left the yard as he went 1-1 in his only at bat of the game. 

Ian Ortiz concluded 1-2 with a triple, a walk, two runs, and a run batted in. Ben Bach finished 1-3 with three walks, four runs scored, and two runs batted in. Ben Lawson concluded 1-3 with a walk, a run, and three runs batted in. Gunnar Hanson closed 1-2 with a walk and a RBI.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on February 10-11 as they compete at the 4^th Annual Cajun Collision in Sterlington, La. USAO will face Georgetown College at 11:00 AM CT on Saturday, followed by a 6:00 PM first-pitch against Loyola University. On Sunday, the Drovers will battle Louisiana Christian University at 11:00 AM, followed by LSU-Alexandria at 2:30 PM.

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