Ereu Improves to 12-0 as USAO Drops WBU in the Postseason Opener

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 3 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (32-14, 17-7 SAC) began postseason play with an 11-5 victory against No. 5 seed Wayland Baptist University (22-27, 11-13 SAC). The win extended the Drovers win streak to eight games and during that span they have outscored opponents 60-16.

USAO has dominated the all-time series against WBU, going 45-14 against the Pioneers since the series began on March 31, 2007. Furthermore, the Drovers have won 27 of the last 28 meetings against the Pioneers.

 The Drovers scored early and often to claim their first win of the postseason. USAO got hot early and brought across two runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by a four run rally in the bottom of the second. 

USAO extended the lead to 7-0 with a run in the third, prior to the Pioneers scoring their first run in the top of the fourth inning. The Drovers added one run in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 8-1.

WBU scored once in the top of the fifth inning, followed by USAO scoring two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. 

The Pioneers scored three in the top of the sixth, trimming their deficit to 10-5. The Drovers scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the eighth.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 11 hits and nine walks, while WBU tallied only seven hits and five walks. Both teams committed one error on defense. 

The Drover offense was led by Gunnar Hansen's three-hit performance. Hansen concluded 3-5 with a double and two runs batted in. Gabriel Arroyo and Christopher Martinez each provided a pair of hits. Arroyo finished 2-4 with a run scored and a run batted in, while Martinez went 2-5 with a run scored and two runs batted in. 

Ben Bach singled and drove in a trio of runs. Peyton McDowall concluded 1-2 with a pair of walks, two runs scored, and a run batted in. 

Gage Ninness and Ian Ortiz each singled in the win. Ben Lawson concluded 0-0 at the plate, drawing three walks, scoring three runs, and he drove in a run. 

Brian Ereu improved his record to 12-0 and currently leads the NAIA in wins. Ereu went 4.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and he struck out six batters. This season, Ereu has produced a 3.71 earned run average and he has struck out 79 batters in 77.2 innings of work.

Naton Herchock relieved Ereu for the next 1.1 innings, followed by Tristan Perry for 2.0 scoreless innings. Rob Schmidt tossed a scoreless ninth inning to slam the door on the Pioneers. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to the diamond on Saturday, May 4 as they face No. 1 Mid-America Christian University. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark in Chickasha, Okla. 

For more information about the SAC Tournament, CLICK HERE!

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