Drovers Produce 27 Runs and Sweep Double-Header at University of the Southwest

HOBBS, N.M. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (13-8, 1-2 SAC) got back on track with a double-header sweep on the road at University of the Southwest (14-9, 5-4 RRAC). The Drovers opened the day with a thrilling 20-13 win, followed by a 7-6 triumph in the second game. 

-GAME 1-

The series opener was a wild one, featuring 33 hits, 33 runs, and eight homeruns, but the Drovers were able to outlast the Mustangs and capture a 20-13 win.

The Drovers got off to a red-hot start and brought across five runs in the top of the first, highlighted by a grand-slam from Gunnar Hansen. USAO extended the lead to 8-0 in the top of the second, courtesy of a pair of homers from Devin Alvarez and Peyton McDowall.

However, the Mustangs would tie the score at 8-8 with an eight-run inning in the bottom of the second. 

The Drovers reclaimed the lead on Ben Lawson's solo-homerun in the top of the third, but it was short-lived as the Mustangs struck for four runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

USAO cut the deficit to 12-11 with a couple of runs in the top of the fourth, prior to taking the lead once again, with four runs in the top of the fifth, highlighted by Christopher Martinez's third homer of the season. 

USW scored once in the bottom of the sixth to cut the deficit to 15-13, but USAO responded with a five insurance runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by Ben Bach's second homerun of the season. Rob Schmidt held the Mustangs scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to close out the win in the series opener. 

As a team, the Drovers compiled 16 hits, as well as reaching on one USW fielding error and nine walks. Meanwhile, the Mustangs reached the bases on 17 hits, one USAO fielding error, and they drew two walks. The Drovers launched six homeruns, while the Mustangs hit two out of the yard.

Five different Drovers recorded multiple hits in the win, highlighted by Peyton McDowall's perfect day at the dish, going 3-3 with two walks, a homerun, three runs scored, and three runs batted in. Ben Lawson also recorded three hits, going 3-5 with a double, a homer, three runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Christopher Martinez finished 2-4 with a walk, a double, a homerun, three runs scored, and two runs batted in. Gabriel Arroyo went 2-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and a RBI, while Gage Ninness went 2-5 with a double, two runs scored, and three RBIs.

Ben Bach went 1-2 with two walks, a homerun, two runs scored, and four runs batted in. Gunnar Hansen concluded 1-3 with a walk and a grand slam. 

Devin Alvarez finished 1-4 with a solo homerun, while Ian Ortiz went 1-5 with a single and a run scored. 

Ryan Duncan and Ryan Rodriguez each scored a run in the win.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound and delivered 2.0 innings of work, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and he struck out two batters. Tristan Perry pitched for the next 2.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits, and he struck out two batters. Kyler Denton delivered 1.1 innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run on four hits, and he fanned two batters. Rob Schmidt went the final 1.2 innings and struck out three batters while not allowing any hits or runs. 

-GAME 2-

 The Drovers jumped out to an early lead in game two, but had to use a late comeback to clinch the 7-6 victory.

The Drovers wasted no time to take the lead in game two, scoring one run on Peyton McDowall's RBI-triple to center field. USAO extended the lead to 4-0 on Gage Ninness' three-run homerun in the top of the second inning.

The Mustangs got on the scoreboard with one run in the bottom of the third inning, but the Drovers responded with a run of their own in the top of the third inning to take a 5-1 lead. 

USW added one more run in the bottom of the third inning, trimming their deficit to 5-2. The Mustangs stayed hot at the plate and pushed across four runs in the bottom of the fifth to claim a 6-5 lead. 

USAO bounced back and reclaimed a 7-6 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. The Drovers used solid pitching and defense to wrap up the second win of the series.

As a team, the Drovers compiled 14 hits and reached on two walks, while the Mustangs reached the bases on 10 hits and drew three walks. USAO left seven runners stranded on the bases, while USW left three on base. 

Four different Drovers recorded multi-hit performances, led by Gabriel Arroyo going 3-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Gage Ninness also had a big game, going 2-4 with a homerun and three runs batted in. Christopher Martinez finished 2-4 with a run scored, while Peyton McDowall went 2-3 with a walk, a triple, and a RBI.

Gunnar Hansen contributed a double, while Ben Bach, Ian Ortiz, Ben Lawson, and Devin Alvarez each singled.

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for USAO and delivered 4.1 innings of work, allowing two earned runs on eight hits, and he struck out one batter. Hagen Earls relieved Adams with one out in the bottom of the fifth and recorded the final two outs of the inning. Alden Norquist entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and went 1.0 inning, allowing no runs or hits and he struck out one batter. Rob Schmidt relieved Norquist in the bottom of the seventh and earned his second save of the season as he struck out the side to close the game. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Mustangs will conclude the three-game series on Saturday, March 9 and first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT at Jake "The Jake" Williams Field in Hobbs, NM.

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