Drovers Mash Three Homers in Series Opener Against Texas Wesleyan

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (27-16, 16-9 SAC) opened Alumni Weekend with a thrilling 11-4 victory against Texas Wesleyan University (26-20, 10-14 SAC). After falling behind early in the contest, the Drovers managed to score 10 unanswered runs to claim the win. The Drovers improve to 20-15 against the Rams in the all-time series dating to March 2014. 

The Drovers currently sit in third place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 3.5 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. 

Thursday's game began with a pair of scoreless innings before the Rams struck for three runs in the top of the third. USAO trimmed the deficit to 3-1 on Christopher Martinez's seventh homer of the year. Texas Wesleyan scored its final run in the top of the fifth inning.

The Drover offense began to heat up in the bottom of the fifth, plating a pair of runs to trim the deficit to 4-3, courtesy of a pair of RBI-doubles from Gage Ninness and Ian Ortiz. USAO took over the lead with four runs in the bottom of the seventh, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Gunnar Hansen and Peyton McDowall. The Drovers added more insurance in the eighth, pushing across four more runs.

As a team, the Drovers produced 15 hits and reached the bases on seven walks, while the Rams tallied eight hits and drew one free pass. Texas Wesleyan was perfect on defense, while USAO committed a pair of fielding errors. 

Kyler Denton got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 5.0 innings of work, surrendering three earned runs on 5 hits and he struck out two batters. Jared Adams pitched the next 2.0 innings and earned his fourth win of the season, allowing zero runs on two hits and struck out two batters. Ryan Cullinane closed out the game with 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and struck out three batters.

The Drover offense was led by five multi-hit performances, highlighted by Christopher Martinez's 3-5 showing, that included a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Gage Ninness also tallied three hits, going 3-5 with a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in.

Gunnar Hansen concluded 2-4 with his sixth homer of the year, in addition to a walk and three runs batted in. Devin Alvarez went 2-5 with a run scored and a run batted in, while Corey Morro went 2-4 with a walk.

Peyton McDowall finished 1-3 with his 11^th homer of the year, along with a pair of walks. Ian Ortiz went 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in, while Ricky Requejo closed the game 1-4 with a walk and two runs scored. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Rams will complete the three-game series with a double-header on Friday, April 18. First pitch of the twin bill is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. Friday is also USAO's Senior Day, recognizing the 2025 senior class. 

Furthermore, they will be celebrating their alumni as well as the impactful career of LJ Powell, as part of Legends Day. 
FOR MORE INFO ABOUT ALUMNI WEEKEND – CLICK HERE

Stay up to date on all USAO Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers