#3 USAO Comes Up Short Against Top Ranked Southeastern University

LINCOLN, Neb. – Tuesday afternoon, the No. 3 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (35-17, 17-7 SAC) suffered 7-2 loss at the NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round against No. 1 Southeastern University (50-6, 22-2 SUN). 

Southeastern got off to a hot start, with the Fire bringing in four runs in the top of the first inning. The score remained 4-0 until the top of the fourth inning, when they added on their final three runs. 

USAO scored once in the bottom of the sixth and once in the eighth.

The Drovers concluded the contest with seven hits and drew one walk, while the Fire tallied 12 hits and five walks. USAO committed three fielding errors and Southeastern committed one error on defense. 

Ian Ortiz led the Drovers at the plate, going 2-4 with a double. Gavin Machado launched a solo home run in his only at bat of the game. Christopher Martinez, Peyton McDowall, Ben Bach, and Gunnar Hansen each singled in the loss.

Ryan Cullinane got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched the first 5.0 innings, surrendering six earned runs on 10 hits and he struck out four batters. Fernando Medina was excellent in relief for the Drovers, delivering 4.0 scoreless innings, striking out six batters while only allowing two hits.  

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will take on No. 4 Mount Mercy University in an elimination game on Wednesday, May 15 at 11:00 AM CT at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb.

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