Drovers Sweep Double-Header and Claim Series Victory at KCC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-5, 0-0 SAC) wrapped up a series victory with a double-header sweep at Kansas Christian College (1-10, 0-0 NCCAA). USAO won both of Saturday's games 12-3, and the Drovers concluded the series outscoring the Falcons 43-16.

-GAME 1-

The Drovers led from start to finish as they cruised to a 12-3 victory in the opener. USAO took an early lead with one run in each of the first two innings. The Drovers extended their lead to 9-0 in the top of the third inning, highlighted by Peyton McDowall's two-run homerun. The Falcons trimmed their deficit to 9-3 with a run in the bottom of the third, followed by two more in the fourth. The Drovers added their final three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning, prior to slamming the door closed on KCC in the bottom half of the inning. 

Sam Replogle got the start on the mound for USAO and improved his record to 1-0 as he only surrendered three runs on five hits and struck out one batter in 4.0 innings of work. Tristan Perry relieved Replogle in the fifth and pitched for the final 3.0 innings, allowing zero runs on three hits, and struck out three batters.

The Drovers compiled 15 hits as a team, led by Gage Ninness' 4-5 performance at the plate. Ninness belted a pair of doubles, scored three runs, and drove in two runs.

Peyton McDowall finished 2-5 with a homerun and four RBIs, while Ben Lawson went 2-3 with a walk, a run scored, and two RBIs. Ben Bach also went 2-3, with a double, two walks, and two runs scored. Gabriel Arroyo contributed a 2-4 performance that included a double, a walk, one run scored, and one run batted in.

Christopher Martinez went 1-3 with two walks, two runs, and a RBI. Gunnar Hansen and Devin Alvarez each singled in the win.

-GAME 2-

The Drovers had to come from behind in the series finale but did so in emphatic fashion, capturing their second consecutive 12-3 victory.

The Falcons got off to a hot start and brought in a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning and they remained in the lead until the third inning, when the Drovers struck for five runs. USAO extended the lead to 7-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning, followed by the KCC's final run in the bottom half of the inning. The Drovers added insurance with two runs in the top of the fifth and three more runs in the top of the seventh, prior to recording the final three outs of the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for USAO and improved his perfect record to 4-0 as he delivered 4.0 innings of work in the series finale. Ereu surrendered three runs on eight hits, while striking out three batters. Rob Schmidt produced 3.0 shutout innings out of the bullpen and only gave up one hit while striking out one batter. 

USAO compiled 13 hits as a team, led by Ben Lawson's 3-3 performance that included a double, a triple, three runs scored, and two runs batted in. Devin Alvarez went 2-3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored, and two RBIs, while Ben Bach went 2-3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored, and a RBI.

Gage Ninness, Gavin Machado, and Ian Ortiz each singled and drove in a run. Machado scored once and Ortiz scored twice. Gabriel Arroyo went 1-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in.

Peyton McDowall finished 1-3 with a walk and a run scored, while Gunnar Hansen went 1-3 with a walk.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will begin conference play with a three-game series at Mid-America Christian University on March 1-2 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Friday's game is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM CT, followed by a 12:00 PM start time for Saturday's double-header.

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