Drovers Drop a Pair of Games at the Cajun Collision

STERLINGTON, La. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (5-3, 0-0 SAC) suffered a pair of tough losses at the Cajun Collision. The Drovers opened the day with a tough 7-2 loss against Bryan College (7-3, 0-0 AAC), followed by an 8-4 loss against No. 5 ranked Louisiana State University Shreveport (7-1, 0-0 RRAC). 

-GAME 1 vs BRYAN COLLEGE (TN)-

The Drovers got off to a good start but surrendered seven unanswered runs over the final three innings of the game.

After the game began with two scoreless innings, the Drovers captured an early lead with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, highlighted by Ian Ortiz's RBI-double. However, the Lions responded with a pair of runs of their own to tie the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Bryan proceeded to take a 3-2 with a sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the fifth inning. 

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for USAO and pitched the first 4.2 innings. Ereu surrendered three runs and seven hits, while striking out five batters. Tristan Perry relieved Ereu in the fifth and pitched the following 1.0 inning and surrendered a pair of earned runs, followed by Fernando Medina for 0.1 inning and gave up a pair of earned runs.

The Drover offense struggled and only managed to produce four hits. Ben Lawson and Ian Ortiz each highlighted the game with a pair of two-hit performances. Lawson concluded 2-2 with a walk and a double, while Ortiz went 2-3 with a double and a run batted in. 

Ben Bach drove in a run and scored a run. Christopher Martinez drew a walk and scored a run. 

-GAME 2 vs #5 LSUS-

The Drovers fell behind early as LSUS brought across four runs in the bottom of the first inning. The score remained 4-0 until the Pilots added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Gunnar Hansen got the Drovers on the board and cut the deficit to 6-2 with a two-run homerun in the top of the fourth inning. 

USAO cut the deficit to 6-4 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning, but LSUS quickly repossessed a four-run lead by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Drovers were unable to cut into the deficit in the seventh were dealt the loss. 

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for USAO and surrendered four runs in 1.0 inning of work. Ryan Cullinane relieved Adams for the following 4.0 innings and struck out five batters, while allowing two runs on five hits. Hagen Earls entered the game for the sixth inning and gave up a pair of runs. 

As a team, the Drovers produced eight hits, coming from seven different players, led by Peyton McDowall's two-hit performance. McDowall also scored a pair of runs. 

Gunnar Hansen drove in three runs, while going 1-3 with a run scored. Ben Bach concluded 1-3 with a double and run scored, while Gage Ninness went 1-4 with a double. Christopher Martinez and Boone Lasater each finished 1-3 with a single. Gavin Machado singled in his only at bat of the game.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now return home to Bill Smith Ballpark for a highly anticipated three-game series against No. 6 ranked Bellevue University (Neb.) on February 17-18. First-pitch of Saturday's double-header is scheduled for noon, followed by another noon start time for Sunday's series finale. 

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