Drovers Sweep Twin Bill Against #25 Nelson University

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (12-17, 7-10 SAC) opened a three-game series with a double header sweep against No. 25 ranked Nelson University (22-13, 7-10 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a 4-0 win, prior to a 9-8 triumph in game two. With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 31-6 against the Lions in head-to-head matchups since 2014.

GAME 1

After holding the Lions scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers jumped out to an early lead with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. USAO doubled the lead in the fourth and held Nelson scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and reached on zero walks, while the Lions tallied just one hit and drew zero walks. USAO committed two fielding errors, while Nelson fumbled the ball once on defense.  

Tyson Noel got the start on the mound and was nearly unhittable, going all seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out seven batters.

USAO's offense was led by Duncan Key's two-hit performance. Key concluded 2-3 with a double and a run batted in.

Henry Garcia finished 1-3 with a triple and a run scored. Corey Morro concluded 1-2 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Solomon Harwood singled and scored, while Derrick Morillo singled and drove in a run. Gabe Clyden also singled in the series opener.

GAME 2

USAO once again used a hot start to claim an early advantage, pushing across three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

The lead was short-lived as the Lions rallied for four runs in the top of the second inning. However, the Drovers rallied for four runs of their own in the bottom of the second to take a 7-4 lead into the third.

USAO added an insurance run in the bottom of the third, followed by a scoreless fourth inning.

Both teams scored once in the fifth, before the Lions made things interesting with one run in the sixth and two in the seventh. The bullpen held off Nelson's rally in the seventh to secure the sweep.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached on six walks, while the Lions tallied seven hits and drew four walks. USAO still found a way to win despite committing four fielding errors, in comparison to Nelson's one bobble on defense.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound and went 3.0 innings, surrendering no earned runs on two hits and he struck out two batters. Jake Finkelstein got the win as he went 3.1 innings in relief, allowing three runs on four hits and he struck out three. Layton Bryan earned his first career save as he recorded the final two outs in the seventh.

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Corey Morro and Solomon Harwood. Morro finished 2-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while Harwood went 2-3 with a walk, a run scored, and two runs batted in.

Derrick Morillo drove in three runs as he went 1-2 at the plate. Alfonso Camacho was perfect at the dish, going 1-1 with a double, two walks, a run scored, and a run batted in.

Conner Martin went 1-2 with a walk, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Duncan Key finished 1-3 with a walk.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Lions will conclude the series on Saturday (March 28) at noon at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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