Adams, Alvarez, and Hansen Lead #3 USAO Past Top Seeded MACU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Sunday afternoon, the No. 3 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (34-15, 17-7 SAC) stayed alive with an impressive 8-3 victory in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament against No. 1 seed Mid-America Christian University (38-11, 20-4 SAC).

With the win, the Drovers improve to 50-17 against the Evangels all-time, a series that dates to Feb. of 2005. Furthermore, USAO is 39-8 against MACU since 2011.

After Sunday's game began with one scoreless inning, the Drovers struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. 

MACU would then manage to even the score at 2-2 with one run in the top of the fourth, followed by another run in the fifth. However, USAO immediately regained the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. 

The Drovers added insurance late in the contest, scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth on a pair of two-run home runs from Gunnar Hansen and Devin Alvarez.

The Evangels scored once in the top of the ninth, but it was too little, too late for the No. 1 seed.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 14 hits and two walks, while MACU tallied seven hits and one walk. The Evangels committed one error on defense, while USAO committed two fielding errors. 

Six different Drovers recorded multiple hits in the win, led by Gunnar Hansen's 2-4 performance which included a double, a homer, and three runs batted in. Devin Alvarez concluded 2-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Ben Lawson finished 2-3 with two doubles, a walk, and a run scored. Gage Ninness, Gabriel Arroyo, and Ian Ortiz each singled twice.

Peyton McDowall went 1-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Ben Bach singled and scored. 

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for the Drovers and was tremendous, delivering 7.1 stellar innings of work, surrendering only one earned run on five hits, and he struck out eight batters to improve his record to 4-4. 

Tristan Perry recorded the final two outs of the eighth inning, prior to Rob Schmidt recording the final three outs in the top of the ninth.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Evangels will return to the diamond for the if necessary, game on Monday, May 6 at 10:00 AM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. The winner will face No. 2 seed Oklahoma City University in the SAC Tournament championship game.

For more information about the SAC Tournament, CLICK HERE!

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