Martinez and McDowall Power #3 USAO to Victory Against #2 Doane in NAIA Opening Round

LINCOLN, Neb. – Monday evening, the No. 3 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (35-16, 17-7 SAC) opened the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round with a thrilling 8-6 victory against No. 2 Doane University (38-14, 21-7 GPAC). The Drovers launched five home runs as they advance to the winner's bracket.

The Drovers got off to a hot start, striking for a trio of runs in the top of the first inning, led by back-to-back homers from Christopher Martinez and Peyton McDowall. 

Doane cut the deficit to 3-1 with a run in the bottom of the second, but USAO responded with three more runs in the top of the third, courtesy of back-to-back home runs from Martinez and McDowall once again. 

The Tigers scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to trim the deficit to 6-3. USAO scored once in the top of the fourth, but Doane answered with three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut their deficit to 7-6. 

The Drovers scored an important insurance run in the top of the ninth, on Martinez's third homer of the game. 

The Drovers concluded the contest with nine hits and drew six walks, while the Tigers tallied 13 hits and four walks. Both teams were perfect on defense and did not commit a fielding error. USAO launched five home runs, while Doane only left the yard once. 

Martinez concluded 3-4 at the plate, with three homers, a walk, and five runs batted in. McDowall finished 2-4 with two homers, a walk, and two runs batted in. 

Gage Ninness, Ben Bach, Ben Lawson, and Devin Alvarez each singled in the win. 

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for USAO, going 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits and he struck out four batters. Kyler Denton delivered 4.0 scoreless innings and earned the win to improve his record to 9-1. Denton allowed only two hits and he struck out three batters. Rob Schmidt earned his fourth save of the season as he came in to record the final four outs for USAO. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Tuesday, May 14 at 2:30 PM CT as they face No. 1 Southwestern University (Fla.) at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb.

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