Drovers Split Day One of Cajun Collision

STERLINGTON, La. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (5-4, 0-0 SAC) opened the Cajun Collision with a double-header split against Dakota State University (S.D.), and No. 4 ranked LSU Shreveport. USAO opened the day with a 6-2 victory against DSU, followed by 7-2 loss in the second game against LSUS.

• GAME 1 vs DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY (0-2, 0-0 NSAA)

After the game began with a scoreless first inning, Dakota State captured the first lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Drovers cut the deficit in half with one run in the top of the third inning.

DSU held a 2-1 advantage until the top of the fifth inning, when USAO rallied for five runs, highlighted by Peyton McDowall's first home run of the season, to claim a 6-2 lead late in the ball game. 

Pitching and defense held strong for USAO in the final innings to wrap up the first victory of the weekend.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced six hits and reached on five walks, while the Trojans tallied only four hits and drew one walk. USAO committed one fielding error, in comparison to DSU's three fumbles on defense. 

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for the Drovers and was stellar as he improved his record to 2-1 so far this season. Ereu delivered 6.0 innings of work, surrending just one earned run on four hits and he struck out nine batters.

Tristan Perry hurled a scoreless seventh inning and struck out a pair of batters.

Offensively, USAO was led by Devin Alvarez's 2-3 performance that included two doubles, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Gage Ninness also tallied a pair of hits, going 2-3 with a walk a run scored, and a run batted in.

Peyton McDowall concluded 1-3 with a homer and two runs batted in, while Nolan Herchock went 1-2 with a run scored. 

• GAME 2 vs #4 LSU SHREVEPORT (8-0, 0-0 RRAC)

The Drovers fell behind early in the contest, surrendering three runs in the first, followed by two more in the bottom of the second. 

USAO trimmed the deficit to 5-1 on Ian Ortiz's solo-homer in the top of the third inning, but LSUS would once again add insurance with one run in the third inning and one in the fourth.

In the top of the fifth, USAO began to rally, but was held to only one run and trailed 7-2. The Pilots held the Drovers off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced five hits and reached on two walks, while the Pilots tallied 10 hits and drew two walks. LSUS was perfect on defense, and USAO committed a pair of fielding errors.

Kyler Denton got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 4.0 innings of work. Denton surrendered five earned runs on eight hits, and he struck out three batters.

Megumi Fukuda and Azalius Lewis each contributed scoreless innings out of the bullpen and each reliever struck out one batter.

Ian Ortiz led the Drovers at the plate, going 2-3 with his first home run of the season. Ben Bach and Devin Alvarez each singled in the second game of the day. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers return to the field tomorrow (Feb. 8) for a double-header against Park University and No. 14 ranked Central Methodist University at day two of the Cajun Collision in Sterlington, La. First pitch against Park is scheduled for 11:00 AM CT, followed by a 2:30 PM CT start time against CMU.

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