Drovers Win Big in Game Two to Split Double-Header at #7 OCU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Friday night, the No. 9 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (27-11, 17-5 SAC) split a double-header at No. 7 Oklahoma City University (33-7, 20-2 SAC). The Stars scored a pair of late runs to claim a 2-0 win in the first game, but the Drovers responded emphatically, with a 9-2 victory in game two.

The Drovers and Stars also split their first double-header of the season, back on March 21 in Chickasha. Both games went into extra innings and OCU won the first game 3-2, followed by USAO winning 4-3 in game two.

The Drovers now sit in second place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, three games back of OCU, with six games remaining in the regular season.

-GAME 1-

Friday's first game was a scoreless pitcher's duel until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Stars scored the only two runs of the game. 

Despite suffering the loss, Sophie Williams was great in the circle, surrendering only two earned runs on eight hits, and she struck out four batters in 6.0 innings.

As a team, the Drovers only managed to produce four hits. Sophie Williams doubled, while Malea McMurtrey, Jaclyn Gray, and Tyler Trott each singled.

-GAME 2-

The Drovers wasted no time to take a lead in the series finale, bringing across FIVE runs in the top of the first inning.

Both teams scored once in the second inning, but USAO was able to extend the lead to 8-1 with one run in the top of the third, followed by one more in the fourth. 

Science & Arts and Oklahoma City each scored their final run in the sixth inning.

Lauryn Cotrell was stellar in the circle, going all 7.0 innings and only allowed two earned runs on six hits, and she struck out seven batters.

As a team, the Drovers compiled 10 hits, coming from five different players.

Sophie Williams led the way, going 3-3 with a homerun and two runs scored, followed by Sierra Selfridge who went 3-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in.

Jaclyn Gray finished 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Jadyn Goucher blasted a solo-homerun and finished 1-4, while Jaycee Kievit went 1-4 with a three-run homer. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action on Tuesday, April 18 as they host a double-header against Mid-America Christian University. First pitch of the twin-bill is scheduled for 5:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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