Drovers Drop Double-Header at #22 Bellevue

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2-5, 0-0 SAC) dropped a double-header on the road at No. 22 ranked Bellevue University (4-2, 0-0 NSAA). The Drovers suffered a 6-4 loss in the series opener, followed by a 9-4 defeat in game two. With the loses the Drovers are now 14-7 against the Bruins since 2017.

GAME 1

The Drovers got off to a great start in the series opener, taking a 2-0 lead with a solo-home run in each of the first two innings from Corey Morro and Blake King. However, the lead was short-lived as the Bruins rallied for four runs in the bottom half of the second inning.

USAO trimmed the deficit to 4-3 as Morro drove in another run in the top of the third. Bellevue added insurance with one run in each of the next two innings to take a 6-3 advantage into the sixth. Henry Garcia pulled the Drovers within two with a solo-homer in the sixth, but USAO was unable to get any closer.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced six hits and reached on two walks, while the Bruins tallied seven hits and drew two walks. USAO committed one fielding error, while Bellevue fumbled the ball twice on defense.  

Tyson Noel made the start on the mound for USAO and delivered 4.1 innings of work. Noel surrendered five runs on seven hits, and he struck out two batters. Tristan Perry tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief to close out the game.

Duncan Key contributed a 2-3 performance at the plate with a pair of singles. Henry Garcia and Blake King each finished 1-2 with a walks and solo-home runs. Corey Morro concluded 1-4 with a home run and two runs batted in. Alfonso Camacho went 1-2 with a single.

GAME 2

The Drovers once again jumped out to an early lead, pushing across a pair of runs in the top of the first on RBI-singles off the bat of Alfonso Camacho and Derrick Morillo. Bellevue scored one run in the second and third innings to pull the score even at 2-2 going into the fourth.

Henry Garcia and Derrick Morillo each launched solo-homers in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. However, the Bruins answered with a trio of runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead.

Bellevue's lead remained 5-4 until the bottom of the seventh, when the Bruins added three more runs.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and reached on three walks, while the Bruins tallied 11 hits and drew three walks. USAO committed one fielding error, while Bellevue fumbled the ball twice on defense.  

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound and pitched 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and struck out seven batters. Layton Bryan made an appearance before Jaxon McDonald took over for 1.0 innings. Julian Pokorny entered in the eighth and surrendered one run.

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Derrick Morillo and Connor Martin. Morillo went 2-4 with a home run and two runs batted in, while Martin went 2-5 with a run scored.

Henry Garcia launched his third home run of the season as he finished 1-4. Alfonso Camacho singled, walked, and drove in a run. Corey Morro singled and scored once. Dawson Robbins and Blake King each singled in game two.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Bruins will conclude the three-game series on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 12:00 PM CT in Bellevue, Neb.

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