USAO Sweeps WBU for the Sixth Time in the Last Seven Seasons

PLAINVIEW, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (24-12, 10-5 SAC) clinched the series sweep with a dominant 20-10 victory on the road at Wayland Baptist University (17-20, 7-8 SAC). 

On Friday, the Drovers opened the series with a hard-fought 4-2 win, followed by a 13-5 blowout victory in the second game. 

The Drovers have won the series against the Pioneers seven years in a row, and they dominated the all-time series against the Pioneers, going 44-14 against WBU since March 31, 2007. Additionally, USAO is 26-1 against WBU since May 9, 2016. 

The Pioneers took control early on Saturday, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning, but it was short-lived as the Drovers plated six runs in the top of the second inning, highlighted by Gabriel Arroyo's bases-clearing triple. 

WBU scored two runs in the bottom of the second to even the score at 6-6, and they reclaimed the lead with one more run in the third. 

The Pioneers held a 7-6 lead until the top of the fifth when the Drovers rallied for four runs, highlighted by Christopher Martinez's three-run home run. 

WBU scored once in the bottom of the fifth to trim their deficit to 10-8, but USAO would once again rally for four runs in the top of the sixth. 

The Pioneers scored once in the bottom of the sixth, but the Drovers would retaliate once more, bringing across six runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by homers from Ben Bach and Christopher Martinez. 

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

The Drovers reached the bases on 13 hits, and they drew 12 walks. Meanwhile, the Pioneers tallied 11 hits and drew five walks. The Pioneers committed two fielding errors, while the Drovers had none.  

The Drover offense was led by a herculean performance from Christopher Martinez, going 3-6 with two home runs and eight runs batted in. This season, Martinez is batting .414 with 12 doubles, 10 homer, and 47 runs batted in. 

Ben Bach was also sensational, going 2-2 with three walks, two solo-homers, three runs scored. Through 36 games, Bach is batting .360 with nine doubles, nine home runs, and 36 RBIs. Additionally, he owns a .510 on base percentage and ranks second in the NAIA with 37 walks.

Gabriel Arroyo finished 2-4 with a triple, two walks, three runs scored, and three runs batted in.

Gage Ninness concluded 1-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Ninness has been tremendous as the Drovers' lead-off man this season, producing a .393 batting average with 13 doubles, three homers, 35 runs batted in, and 42 runs scored. 

Ian Ortiz and Ben Lawson each went 1-2 with two walks, and four runs each. 

Gavin Machado went 1-4 with a walk and a run scored, while Devin Alvarez finished 1-4 with a walk, a run scored, and two RBIs. Peyton McDowall also contributed a single in the win.

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched the first inning, prior to being relieved by Sam Replogle. Tristan Perry struck out two batters in 2.0 innings, followed by Hagen Earls striking out two in 1.2 innings. Ryan Cullinane recorded the final out of the win. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers return to Bill Smith Ballpark for an important three-game series against No. 24 ranked Oklahoma City University on April 11 and 13. The teams will open the series on Thursday night at 7:00 PM CT, followed by a 1:00 PM CT start time for Saturday's double-header. 

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