Drovers Survive Series Opener at Nelson University

WAXAHACHIE, Texas – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-7, 3-1 SAC) dramatically clung to a 13-12 victory in the series opener at Nelson University (13-7, 3-1 SAC). The Drovers have commanded the all-time series against the Lions, owning a 28-5 record against NU since March of 2014.

In Friday's series opener, the Drovers narrowly avoided catastrophe as they saw their 12-1 lead evaporate in the final three innings. Fortunately for USAO, they built a large enough cushion to hang on for the 13-12 win.

The Drovers were quick to strike and captured an early lead as Christopher Martinez drove in Gage Ninness with a double in the top of the first inning.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth, when the Drovers rallied for nine runs, highlighted by Ian Ortiz's third home run of the season. 

Nelson trimmed their deficit to 10-1 with a run in the bottom of the fifth, but USAO immediately regained a ten-run lead with one run in the top of the sixth. The Drovers added one more run in the top of the seventh to push the lead to 12-1.

However, the Lions began to rally in the bottom of the seventh, bringing across five runs to trim their deficit to 12-6.

USAO added one run in the top of the eighth, prior to Nelson rallying for six runs in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the Drovers' lead to 13-12. Neither team scored in the ninth, giving the Drovers their 11^th win of the season. 

As a team, the Drovers compiled 19 hits and reached the bases on eight walks, meanwhile the Lions tallied 12 hits and drew one walk. Defensively, USAO committed two errors, while Nelson fumbled the ball three times in the field. 

The USAO offense was led by seven multi-hit performances, headlined by Ian Ortiz going 3-5 with a homer, a walk, four runs scored, and two runs batted in. Christopher Martinez contributed a 3-6 performance that included a double, a run scored, and three runs batted in, while Gunnar Hansen went 3-4 with a double, two walks, and three runs batted in. Gage Ninness concluded 3-5 with a pair of runs scored and a run batted in. 

Ricky Requejo and Devin Alvarez each went 2-4 with a pair of singles, and Corey Morro finished 2-6 at the plate.

Peyton McDowall closed the game 1-2 with three walks, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Jared Adams got the start for USAO on the mound and earned the win as he delivered 6.0 innings of work, surrendering five runs on seven hits, and he struck out seven batters. Kyler Denton relieved Adams in the seventh and pitched the next 1.0 innings, allowing four runs on two hits, and he struck out three batters. Jakob Brandenberger took over in the bottom of the eighth and recorded two outs, followed by Tristan Perry getting the final out of the eighth inning. Rob Schmidt was the only Drover pitcher to not allow a run, delivering a scoreless ninth inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Lions will conclude the series with a double-header tomorrow (March 1) in Waxahachie, Texas. First pitch of the twin-bill is schedule for 12:00 PM CT.

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