Drovers Rally to Claim the Series at Central Christian

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (26-15, 15-9 SAC) clinched the series with a thrilling 14-7 victory on the road at Central Christian College (15-25, 7-16 SAC). On Friday, the Drovers opened the series with a dominant 17-6 victory, followed by a tough 6-4 loss in game two. 

The Drovers fall to 20-1 against the Tigers in the all-time series dating to March 2018.

USAO's offense has been impressive all season long, but especially impressive over the last seven games, having outscored opponents 76-34 in that span. In the last seven games, the Drover bats have launched 25 extra base hits, including 11 home runs. 

The Drovers currently sit in third place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 4.0 games behind Wayland Baptist University. The top eight teams in the SAC standings advance to the conference tournament. The first round will be a best of three series at the top four seeds respective home fields from April 25-26, and the final four teams remaining advance to the final site at USAO from May 2-4. 

In Saturday's series finale, the Drovers wasted little time to claim the lead, as Christopher Martinez launched a two-run home run to right field. The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the fourth when the Tigers scored their first run of the contest. USAO re-gained a two-run lead in the top of the fifth, but Central Christian answered with three runs to claim a 4-3 advantage in the bottom half of the inning. 

The Drovers pulled even at 4-4 in the top of the sixth, before taking over a 7-4 lead in the top of the seventh. The Tigers made things interesting by scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh to pull within one. 

USAO gained separation in the top of the ninth, rallying for seven runs including a grand slam from Naton Herchock. CCC scored once in the bottom half of the ninth, but it wasn't enough to change their fate.

As a team, the Drovers produced 12 hits and reached the bases on three walks, while the Tigers tallied 10 hits and drew two free passes. CCC committed five fielding errors, while USAO's defense fumbled the ball twice.

The Drover offense was led by a pair of three-hit performances from Nolan Herchock and Christopher Martinez. Nolan Herchock finished 3-5 with a grand slam, two runs scored, and five runs batted in, while Martinez went 3-4 with three runs batted in. 

Ian Ortiz contributed a 2-5 performance that included three runs scored and three runs batted in. 

Devin Alvarez doubled and scored, while Jaden Wiley tripled and scored twice. Corey Morro singled, drove in a run, and scored a run. Gage Ninness singled, walked, and scored twice.  

Kyler Denton got the start on the mound for the Drovers and went 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and he struck out five batters. Naton Herchock pitched the next 2.2 innings and earned his second win of the season. Ryan Cullinane earned his second save of the season as he pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing one run on run hit and he struck out a batter. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Tuesday, April 15 as they travel to Weatherford, Okla. to face Southwestern Oklahoma State University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM CT.

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