Late Rally Comes Up Short in Series Finale at Texas Wesleyan

FORT WORTH, Texas – Sunday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (15-10, 2-4 SAC) rallied late but came up short and suffered a 13-11 loss in the series finale at Texas Wesleyan University (16-11, 6-3 SAC). On Sunday, the Drovers opened the series with a 13-9 loss, followed by a 13-4 triumph in the second game. 

The Drovers immediately took a lead in the series finale as Gage Ninness launched a home run on the very first pitch of the game. However, the lead did not last long as the Rams hit a pair of solo-homers in the bottom of the first with two outs.

Texas Wesleyan held a 2-1 lead until Ben Bach launched a two-run homer to give USAO a 3-2 lead in the top of the third. The Drovers lead was once again short-lived as the Rams responded with a trio of runs to claim a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the third. 

USAO trimmed the deficit to 5-4 with one run in the top of the fourth, but Texas Wesleyan added seven insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Rams then extended the lead to 13-4 with one more run in the sixth.

Peyton McDowall sparked a six-run rally in the top of the seventh, as he connected on his 10^th home run of the season, helping USAO cut the deficit to 13-10. After holding the Rams scoreless in the bottom of the eighth, the Drovers were able to rally once more and trimmed the deficit to 13-11, just prior to the final out being recorded with the tying run in scoring position. 

As a team, the Drovers compiled 15 hits, as well as reaching on one Texas Wesleyan fielding error, and six walks. Meanwhile, the Rams reached the bases on 17 hits, two USAO fielding errors, and they drew five walks.

The Drover offense has been incredibly productive over the team's last six games, tallying 94 hits and 82 runs. Additionally, they have launched 22 home runs in that same span. Through the team's first 25 games of the season, the offense owns a .341 batting average with 229 runs scored, 280 hits, 65 doubles, nine triples, and 33 home runs. On average, they are producing 9.16 runs per game. 

On Monday, four different Drovers led the offense with multiple hits, highlighted by Gage Ninness' 4-6 performance that included a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. In the last six games, Ninness is batting 14-30 (.467) with two doubles, three home runs, 10 runs scored, and 12 runs batted in.

Gabriel Arroyo concluded 3-5 with three runs batted in, while Ben Bach went 3-5 with a walk, a double, home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. 

Ben Lawson finished 2-3 with two walks, two doubles, and three runs scored. 

Peyton McDowall was intentionally walked three times and closed the game 1-3 with a home run and a pair of runs. McDowall currently owns an eight-game hit-streak and has gone 17-28 (.607) at the plate, with three doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 13 runs scored, and 19 runs batted in during that span. 

Gunnar Hansen and Christopher Martinez each singled in the series finale. 

Sam Replogle got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched the opening 2.0 innings, prior to being relieved by Kyler Denton for the next 2.0 innings. Fernando Medina made an appearance before Ryan Cullinane took over for 0.1 inning. Tristan Perry delivered 1.1 innings, followed by Hagen Earls for 1.1 innings. Alden Norquist contributed a scoreless inning of work.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now head to Weatherford, Okla. for a non-conference matchup at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday, March 19. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM CT at SWOSU Baseball Field.

Stay up to date on all Drover Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

Twitter/X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers