USAO Splits Double-Header Against #24 OCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (25-14, 11-7 SAC) split a double-header against No. 24 Oklahoma City University (26-14, 12-6 SAC). The Stars claimed a 12-4 victory in the first game of the day, but the Drovers emphatically responded with a 10-0 triumph in the series finale. OCU won Thursday's series opener 3-2.

In the all-time series, the Drovers are 16-43 against the Stars. However, USAO has had better luck against OCU since March 9, 2019, going 7-9 in that span.

-GAME 1-

The Stars scored early and often to collect the win in the first game of the day. OCU brought in one run in the first, followed by two more in the second.

The Drovers tied the score at 3-3 with a trio of runs in the bottom of the second inning, but the Stars immediately reclaimed the lead with four runs in the top of the third. USAO scored their final run in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to 7-4. 

OCU added three more insurance runs in the fourth inning, followed by two more in the sixth.

At the conclusion of the contest, the Drovers reached the bases on six hits, and they drew four walks. Meanwhile, the Stars tallied 17 hits and did not draw a walk. OCU committed three fielding errors, while USAO had one. 

Ben Lawson led the Drovers at the plate, going 2-2 with a run batted in. Gavin Machado drove in a pair of runs and finished 1-3 with a double. Ian Ortiz went 1-3 with a single, while Gabriel Arroyo went 1-3 with a walk and a run scored. Gage Ninness concluded 1-4 with a single. 

Peyton McDowall was walked twice and scored, while Christopher Martinez was walked once and drove in one run.

-GAME 2-

The Drovers flipped a 180 and cruised to a 10-0 victory in the series finale, led by a sensational pitching performance from Brian Ereu.

USAO opened the game with a bang as Christopher Martinez launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Drovers extended the lead to 3-0 as Devin Alvarez crushed a solo-homer in the bottom of the second.

USAO doubled the lead with three more runs in the third inning, and the score remained 6-0 until the sixth. The Drovers pushed across their final four runs in the bottom of the sixth, highlighted by Ben Bach's two-run home run.

Brian Ereu was sensational on the mound for USAO, delivering a complete game shutout to improve his record to 9-0 this season. Ereu surrendered only four hits while striking out eight batters.

At the conclusion of the contest, the Drovers reached the bases on 14 hits, and they drew three walks. Meanwhile, the Stars tallied four hits and did not draw a walk. OCU committed two errors, while USAO had one. 

The Drovers were led by four multi-hit performances from Christopher Martinez, Gunnar Hansen, Ian Ortiz, and Devin Alvarez. Martinez finished 2-3 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Hansen went 3-4 with three singles, while Ian Ortiz went 3-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Alvarez concluded 2-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Ben Bach closed 1-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Gage Ninness, Gabriel Arroyo, and Peyton McDowall each singled in the series finale. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Tuesday, April 16 as they travel to Shreveport, La. for a non-conference matchup at No. 2 ranked LSU Shreveport. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT. 

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