Drovers Suffer First Loss of the Postseason, Forcing a Winner-Take-All Championship Game on Monday

CHICKASHA, Okla. – On Sunday, the No. 3 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (33-18, 18-9 SAC) suffered their first loss of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a tough 13-8 performance against No. 1 Wayland Baptist University (39-16, 22-5 SAC). With the loss, the Drovers are now 49-16 against the Pioneers all-time, dating to March 2007. Furthermore, USAO has emerged victorious in 31 of their last 34 meetings. The conference rivals have faced each other five times this season, with USAO having won three, while WBU has won two. 

Even with Sunday's loss, the Drovers clinch their ninth consecutive appearance in the NAIA national tournament, as the SAC's second auto-bid. WBU clinched an automatic bid in the tournament by winning the SAC regular season championship, and USAO claimed the second bid as the only other remaining team in the SAC Tournament. The NAIA Opening Round will take place from May 12-15, and the Drovers will find out where they will be playing on Wednesday during the NAIA Selection Show at 4:00 PM CT. 

On Sunday, the Drovers jumped out to an early four-run lead, but the Pioneers were able to rally late to claim the win, forcing the winner-take-all championship game on Monday. 

USAO began the game with three runs in the top of the first inning, followed by one more in the top of the second. However, the Pioneers responded with a five-run rally in the bottom of the third to claim their first lead of the game. WBU scored once more in the fourth inning to extend their lead to 6-4.

The Drovers managed to cut the deficit to 6-5 with a run in the top of the sixth, followed by Ian Ortiz's game-tying homer in the top of the seventh. USAO then reclaimed the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth. However, the Pioneers rallied for seven runs in the bottom half of the eighth to put the game out of reach.

As a team, the Drovers produced eight hits and reached the bases on six walks, while the Pioneers tallied 11 hits and drew four free passes. Both defenses were sloppy on Sunday, with USAO committing four fielding errors and WBU fumbled the ball twice on defense.  

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Ian Ortiz and Ricky Requejo. Ortiz finished 2-4 with his fourth homer of the year, as well as two runs scored and two runs batted in. Requejo finished 2-4 with a double and two runs scored. 

Corey Morro went 1-2 with a pair of walks, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while Devin Alvarez went 1-2 with two walks, one run scored, and one run batted in. 

Gage Ninness closed the game 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Gunnar Hansen also recorded a single.

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched 2.2 innings, surrendering two earned runs on two hits and he struck out three batters. Adams was relieved by Ryan Cullinane for the next 5.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on nine hits and he struck out four batters. Tristan Perry recorded the final out for USAO.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action for the SAC Tournament championship game on Monday (May 5) against No. 1 Wayland Baptist University. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. USAO is seeking their fifth tournament crown in program history. 

For more information about the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament CLICK HERE.

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