Drovers Score 21 Runs in Dominant Victory at SWOSU

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Monday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-10, 2-4 SAC) cruised to an impressive 21-11 victory on the road at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (15-12, 7-8 GAC). The Drovers scored early and often as they cruised to a commanding victory against the NCAA DII foe. USAO managed to score at least one run in all seven innings.

USAO improved to 16-29 against the Bulldogs all-time, a series which dates to April of 1997. Since March 22, 2016, the teams are 7-7 against each other in the last 14 games played.

The Drovers wasted no time to take the lead, bringing across one run in the top of the first inning, but the lead did not last long as the Bulldogs rallied for six run in the bottom of the first.

USAO's offense answered with six runs to reclaim a 7-6 lead in the top of the second, highlighted by Ian Ortiz's second home run of the season.

The lead was once again exchanged in the bottom of the second as the Bulldogs pushed across three runs to take a 9-7 advantage.

The Drovers cut the deficit to one with a run in the top of the third, and then they claimed their third lead of the game with four runs in the top of the fourth to claim a 12-9 lead. USAO extended the lead to 15-9 on a three-run homer from Christopher Martinez in the top of the fifth.  

The Bulldogs scored once in the bottom of the fifth, but the Drovers once again responded with three runs in the top of the sixth, extending the lead to 18-10. For the third inning in a row, USAO struck for three runs and pushed the lead to 21-10 in the top of the seventh.

SWOSU scored once in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to extend the game further, ending early due to the "mercy rule".

As a team, the Drovers compiled 20 hits, as well as reaching on three SWOSU fielding errors, and three walks. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs reached the bases on seven hits, and they drew nine walks. 

The Drover offense has been incredibly productive over the team's last seven games, tallying 114 hits and 103 runs. Additionally, they have launched 25 home runs in that same span. Through the team's first 26 games of the season, the offense owns a .348 batting average with 250 runs scored, 300 hits, 67 doubles, 10 triples, and 36 home runs. On average, they are producing 9.62 runs per game. 

Ian Ortiz led the Drover offense with a 3-5 performance that included two home runs, four runs scored, and four runs batted in. 

Christopher Martinez launched his eighth homer of the year as he went 3-5 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Martinez owns a nine-game hit-streak and has gone 20-39 (.513) in that span, with two doubles, six home runs, 16 runs scored, and 19 RBIs.

Devin Alvarez went 3-5 with a double, a triple, two runs scored, and three RBIs, while Gavin Machado went 3-4 with three runs scored and one RBI.

Gabriel Arroyo concluded 3-5 with a pair of runs and a pair of RBIs. 

Ben Lawson went 2-3 with a pair of walks, three runs scored, and a run batted in.

Gage Ninness extended his hit-streak to eight, with a 2-4 performance that included a double, three runs scored and a RBI. During the hit-streak, Ninness is batting 17-38 (447), with three doubles, three home runs, 13 runs scored, and 13 RBIs.

Peyton McDowall extended his hit-streak to nine as he went 1-5 with a run scored. During McDowall's hit-streak he has gone 18-33 (.545) at the plate, with nine walks, three doubles, one triple, seven homers, 14 runs scored, and 19 runs batted in. 

Megumi Fukuda made his first start of the season, and was relieved by Camden Gipson in the bottom of the first. Gipson went 1.1 innings prior to being relieved by Naton Herchock for the following 1.2 innings. Herchock was credited with the win as he struck out two batters while allowing one hit and zero runs. 

Rob Schmidt pitched for 1.2 innings and was relieved by Tristan Perry for the next 1.1 innings. Fernando Medina and Hagen Earls combined to record the final three outs in the seventh inning. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will head to McPherson, Kan. for a three-game series at Central Christian College on March, 22-23. Friday's double-header is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM, followed by a noon start time for Saturday's series finale. 

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