Drovers Go on the Road and Outscore SCU 30-2 in Double Header Sweep

BETHANY, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (6-8, 3-2 SAC) opened a three-game series with a double header sweep on the road at Southwestern Christian University (12-7, 1-4 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a dominant 18-0 victory, followed by a 12-2 triumph in the second game of the day. With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 36-5 against the Eagles in head-to-head matchups since April 2014.

GAME 1-

The Drovers couldn't have gotten off to a better start as Conner Martin launched a leadoff home run in the top of the first. USAO extended the lead to 5-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning, prior to adding two more in the third.

The lead continued to grow in the top of the fourth as the Drovers plated two runs for the third inning in a row.

Following a scoreless fifth inning, USAO doubled their lead to 14-0 with seven more runs in the sixth. The Drovers scored their final four runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a two-run shomer from Henry Garcia.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 16 hits and reached on seven walks, while the Eagles tallied four hits and drew one walk. Both teams were unblemished on defense.  

Brian Ereu was sensational on the mound as he delivered a complete-game shutout. Ereu went all 7.0 innings, allowing just four hits while striking out nine batters.  

USAO offense was led by five multi-hit performances, including Solomon Harwood's perfect game at the plate, going 3-3 with a triple, a walk, two runs scored, and five runs batted in. Conner Martin also produced three hits, finishing 3-6 with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Brandon Latter tallied a trio of hits, going 3-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in.

Henry Garcia concluded 2-4 with a home run, a walk, two runs scored, and four runs batted in, while Corey Morro went 2-4 with a double, three runs scored, and a run batted in.

Alfonso Camacho went 1-3 with a double, a walk, three runs scored, and one run batted in. Derrick Morillo singled and scored twice, while Anthony Hampton doubled, scored once, and drove in a run.

GAME 2-

Following a scoreless first inning, USAO once again claimed the early lead, plating four runs, highlighted by Anthony Hampton's two-run double. The Eagles responded with their first two runs of the day in the bottom half of the second.

USAO re-gained a four-run advantage with two more runs in the third inning, courtesy of an RBI-triple from Connor Martin and a RBI-double from Alfonso Camacho. Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Drovers added another six runs to extend the lead to 12-2.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached on 10 walks, while the Bobcats tallied six hits and drew two walks. Ozarks committed one fielding error, while USAO was perfect on defense.

Kason Johnson made the start on the mound for USAO and delivered 2.2 innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits and he struck out three batters. Naton Herchock took over in the third and pitched the next 4.1 innings, surrendering zero runs on one hit, and he fanned three batters.

USAO offense was led by Anthony Hampton's three-hit performance. Hampton finished 3-5 with two doubles, a run scored, and three runs batted in. Conner Martin stayed hot by going 2-5 with a triple, a walk, three runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Corey Morro went 2-2 with a double, three walks, a run scored, and a run batted in, while Alfonso Camacho went 2-3 with a double, two walks, a run scored, and a run batted in.

Solomon Harwood finished 2-5 with a run batted in. Derrick Morillo, Brandon Latter, and Duncan Key each singled in the win.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Eagles will conclude the three-game series on Saturday (Feb. 28) at 12:00 PM CT in Bethany, Okla.

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