USAO Splits Double-Header at MACU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-7, 1-2 SAC) concluded the three-game series with a double-header split at Mid-America Christian University (11-6, 2-1 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 5-4 loss, followed by a 3-2 triumph in the series finale. All three games of the series were tightly contested and decided by only one run.

The Drovers are now 49-16 all-time against the Evangels, which includes a current stretch of 38 wins in the last 44 games against MACU, dating back to the 2011 season.

-GAME 1-

After leading for the vast majority of the contest, the Drovers surrendered four runs in the seventh and suffered the walk-off loss.

The Drovers got off to a great start and claimed an early lead with one run in the top of the first inning. USAO held a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the third, when MACU knotted the score at 1-1.

The Drovers used a trio of two-out hits to bring in a pair of runs to take a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning. USAO added some insurance with one run in the top of the sixth inning and increased the lead to 4-1. However, MACU rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk-off the Drovers and claim the series. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on three MACU fielding errors, four walks, and 10 hits. The Evangels reached base via 10 hits, one error, and they drew four walks. USAO left 10 players stranded on the bases, while MACU left six runners on. 

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for USAO and delivered 4.0 innings of work. Ereu struck out two batters, while allowing only one hits and four runs. Ryan Cullinane relieved Ereu in the fifth inning and sixth innings and did not allow a run. Cullinane only gave up one hit and he struck out two batters. Alden Norquist pitched in for the seventh.

The USAO offense was led by three-hit performances from Gage Ninness and Ian Ortiz. Ninness went 3-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in, while Ortiz went 3-4 with a stolen base. 

Christopher Martinez went 1-2 with two walks and a run batted in. Gabriel Arroyo concluded 1-4 with two runs scored, a run batted in, and two stolen bases. Devin Alverez finished 1-3 with a double and a run scored. Gunnar Hansen closed the game 1-4 at the dish.

-GAME 2-

The Drovers got behind early in the series finale but used a late rally to come from behind and claim the 3-2 win.

The Evangels claimed an early lead with one run in the bottom of the first, and the score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth when MACU added one more run. 

The Drovers began to rally in the top of the sixth bringing in a pair of runs to tie the score at 2-2. USAO stayed hot at the plate in the seventh, bringing in one run to take a 3-2 advantage. Rob Schmidt entered the game for the Drovers in the bottom of the seventh and shut down the Evangel offense. 

Sam Replogle got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched 4.2 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, and he struck out four batters. Hagen Earls relieved Replogle in the fifth and went 1.1 innings to earn the win. Earls surrendered no runs on one hit, and he struck out one batter. Rob Schmidt entered in the bottom of the seventh and delivered a scoreless inning to earn his first save of the season. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on three MACU fielding errors, six walks, and seven hits. The Evangels reached base via six hits, two errors, and they drew two walks. USAO left 10 players stranded on the bases, while MACU left eight runners on. 

Seven different Drovers recorded hits in the win. Gabriel Arroyo, Ben Bach, and Ben Lawson each doubled, while Gavin Machado, Peyton McDowall, Gunnar Hansen, and Ian Ortiz each hit singles. McDowall, Ortiz, and Ben Lawson each drove in one run. The USAO runs were scored by Arroyo, Bach, and Ortiz. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Tuesday, March 5 as they travel to Wichita, Kan. for a non-conference game at Friends University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM CT.

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