USAO Clinches Series at Nelson University

WAXAHACHIE, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (12-8, 4-2 SAC) split a double-header at Nelson University (14-8, 4-2 SAC). The Drovers began the day with an impressive 7-3 victory, followed by a 5-4 walk-off loss in the series finale. 

USAO claimed a 13-12 victory in Friday's series opener at Nelson. The Drovers have commanded the all-time series against the Lions, owning a 29-6 record against NU since March of 2014.

GAME 1

The Drovers led from start to finish as they clinched a series with a 7-3 victory in game two of the weekend.

After the game began with a scoreless first inning, the Drovers captured an early lead as they brought across a pair of runs on RBIs from Gunnar Hansen and Devin Alvarez. 

Nelson trimmed their deficit to 2-1 with a run in the bottom of the third inning. 

USAO remained at a 2-1 advantage until the top of the fifth when the Drovers added two more runs, highlighted by Peyton McDowall's fifth home run of the season.

With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Gage Ninness knocked a bases clearing double down the left field line, extending USAO's lead to 7-1.

Nelson added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run, but USAO held the Lions scoreless for the remainder of the contest to secure the win. 

As a team, the Drovers compiled nine hits and reached the bases on three walks, meanwhile the Lions tallied eight hits and drew one walk. Both defenses were perfect in the second game of the series. 

The USAO offense was led by a two-hit performance from Gage Ninness. Ninness concluded 2-4, with a double, and three runs batted in. Through the first 19 games of the season, the Drovers' leadoff hitter has driven in 23 runs, which ranks 9^th in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Peyton McDowall continued to get on base at a high percentage, going 1-2 with a homer, two walks, and two runs batted in.

Gunnar Hansen also finished 1-2, in addition to a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Devin Alvarez finished 1-3 with a double and a run batted in, while Ian Ortiz went 1-3 with a run scored. 

Chistopher Martinez and Ben Bach each went 1-4 with a double. Corey Morro went 1-4 with a single. 

Brian Ereu got the start for USAO on the mound and was stellar as he earned the complete game victory, improving to 3-1 this season, and 15-3 in career. Ereu surrendered only three runs on eight hits, and he struck out five batters.

GAME 2

Despite claiming an early 4-0 lead, USAO dropped the series finale with a 5-4 walk-off loss at Nelson University.

The Drover offense got off to another hot start in the series finale, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a RBI-double from Christopher Martinez. 

USAO continued to add to the lead in the second, bringing across two more runs.

The Lions cut their deficit to 4-3 with one run in the third, followed by two more in the fourth. Nelson then tied the score at 4-4 with a solo-homer in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Drovers were unable to score in the top of the seventh, allowing the Lions to claim the win with a walk-off single in the bottom half of the inning.

As a team, the Drovers compiled five hits and reached the bases on five walks, meanwhile the Lions tallied nine hits and drew one walk. Both teams committed one fielding error. 

The USAO offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Gage Ninness and Christopher Martinez. Ninness went 2-3 with a run scored, while Martinez finished 2-4 with a double and a run batted in. 

Devin Alvarez concluded 1-3 and scored a run. 

Tyson Noel got the start for USAO on the mound and delivered 5.0 innings of work, allowing four runs on eight hits and struck out seven batters. Julian Pokorny relieved Noel in the sixth and allowed one run in 1.0 inning. Rob Schmidt recorded the final two outs, prior to the walk-off hit. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Tuesday, March 4 as they travel to Southwestern Oklahoma State University (NCAA DII). First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT in Weatherford, Okla. 

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