Drovers Make History in Sweep Against SCU
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday evening, the No. 8 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (14-6, 4-0 SAC) completed the four-game sweep against Southwestern Christian University (10-4, 0-4 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a hard-fought 1-0 victory, followed by a 12-3 triumph in the series finale.
The Drovers thoroughly dominated the four-game series, outscoring the Eagles by a wide margin of 33-3. Furthermore, the sweep extended USAO's win-streak against Southwestern Christian, having now won each of the last 28 meetings with the Eagles. Science & Arts now owns a record of 43-1-2 against SCU all-time.
-GAME 1-
The first game of the day was a very impressive pitcher's duel, and extra innings were needed to determine a winner.
Neither team was able to score in the first seven innings of the contest, but the Drovers finally pushed across the game-winning run with Sierra Selfridge's walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Sophie Williams continued to shine in the circle, delivering 8.0 scoreless innings, and allowed only four hits while striking 10 batters. Williams improved her record to 6-3 and lowered her earned run average to 1.99. Additionally, she has struck out 78 batters in 67.0 innings pitched this season.
The Drovers managed to accumulate three hits in the win, and the Eagles recorded four.
Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-3 with the game-winning run batted in. Malea McMurtrey and Jaycee Kievit each singled in the win.
-GAME 2-
Unlike in the first game of the day, the Drovers wasted little time to take the lead, striking for a trio of runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by three more in the second inning.
USAO used a four-run outburst to extend the lead to 10-0 in the bottom of the third inning.
Southwestern Christian scored their first two runs of the series in the top of the fourth inning, but Science & Arts immediately responded with a pair of runs of their own.
The Eagles managed to score one more run in the top of the fifth inning, but it was too little, too late as the "mercy rule" came into play.
Abi Gregory finally had her no-hitter streak snapped after 17.0 innings, but she was just as dominant of a force as ever though. Gregory improved her record to 8-2 as she allowed only two runs and two hits, while striking out four batters in 4.0 innings. In her freshman campaign, Gregory owns a 2.23 earned run average and she has struck out 69 batters in 50.1 innings.
Despite scoring 12 runs, the Drovers were only able to produce four hits. However, USAO was able to capitalize on four fielding errors by the Eagles, as well as drawing six walks.
Science & Arts was menacing on the basepaths, stealing 19 bases, which ranks as the fourth most by a team in NAIA history. Furthermore, Macenzie Ruth's seven stolen bases, ranks as the second most by an individual in NAIA history. Malea McMurtrey swiped five bases in the win as well.
In a historic performance, Macenzie Ruth concluded the 0-0 at the plate, with three walks and three runs scored. Malea McMurtrey also finished 0-0 with three walks and a pair of runs scored.
Tyler Trott concluded 1-3 with a double, a run scored, and a pair of runs batted in, while Jaylee Willis went 1-1 with three stolen bases, a run scored, and a pair of runs batted in.
Sierra Selfridge went 1-3 with a run scored, and Jadyn Goucher went 1-3 with a RBI.
Jaclyn Gray drove in a pair of runs, and Madelyn Blair scored a pair of runs.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will return to action Friday, March 17 as they open a four-game series at Central Christian College. First pitch of Friday's double-header is scheduled for 2:00 PM in McPherson, Kan.
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