#8 USAO Extends Win-Streak with Double-Header Sweep Against Central Christian

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 8 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-6, 6-0 SAC) opened a four-game weekend with a double-header sweep against Central Christian College (7-15, 3-7 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with an impressive 8-0 victory, followed by a 6-2 triumph in the second game.

With the pair of wins, Science & Arts improves to 18-0 all-time against Central Christian, a series which dates back to March 2018. In those 18 games against the CCC, the Drovers have outscored the Tigers by a wide margin of 175-16.

-GAME 1-

After a pair of scoreless innings opened the game, the Drovers took the first lead with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third inning. 

The score remained 3-0 until the fifth, when Science & Arts added one two runs, followed by three more in the sixth inning, forcing the game to end early due to the "mercy rule".

Abi Gregory nearly recorded her fourth no-hitter of the season, as she delivered a one-hit, shutout. The two-time, reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week struck out 10 batters as she improved her record to 9-2 this season. 

As a team, the Drovers compiled 10 hits, coming from six different players. Macenzie Ruth, Jaclyn Gray, Jadyn Goucher, and Sierra Selfridge each recorded a pair of hits in the win.

Gray contributed a 2-4 performance which included a double, a triple, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Sierra Selfridge also tripled as she went 2-3 with a RBI.

Jadyn Goucher concluded 2-3 with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in. Macenzie Ruth finished 2-4 with a pair of stolen bases as well as a pair of runs scored. 

Malea McMurtrey went 1-3 with a walk, a stolen base, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Jaycee Kievit closed the game 1-3 with a single. 

-GAME 2-

For the second game in a row, the game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when the Drovers took the lead with a five-run outburst. 

Central Christian scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning to cut their deficit to 5-2. 

USAO added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth and used stellar pitching and defense to close out the victory.

Sophie Williams took a perfect game into the fifth inning, and at the conclusion of the contest she had only allowed two runs on two hits, as she struck out a dozen batters to improve her record to 7-3 this season.

As a team, USAO produced 11 hits on offense, coming from eight different players. Jadyn Goucher, Macenzie Ruth, and Malea McMurtrey each accounted for a pair of hits in the win. Goucher led the way, going 2-3 with a homerun, two runs scored and a run batted in. Ruth concluded 2-4 with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in. McMurtrey concluded 2-4 with a pair of singles. 

Jaclyn Gray singled and drove in a run, while Jaycee Kievit singled and drove in two runs. Sierra Selfridge, Jaylee Willis, and Sophie Williams each contributed singles.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Tigers will return to action Saturday, March 18 as they conclude a four-game series against Central Christian College. First pitch of Saturday's double-header is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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