Drovers Cruise Past Central Christian in the First Game of the SAC Tournament

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday afternoon, the No. 2 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (36-13, 25-7 SAC) opened the postseason with a dominant 11-1 victory in the first game of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament against Central Christian College (20-31, 10-22 SAC).

With the win over Central Christian, the Drovers improve to 21-0 against the Tigers all-time, dating back to March 2018. Earlier this season, the Drovers swept the four-game series against the Tigers, winning by scores of 8-0, 6-2, 8-0, and 4-2.

On Thursday, the Drovers got the game started with a bang, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by Sierra Selfridge's two-run homerun.

USAO extended the lead to 10-0 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning, followed by both teams bringing across one run in the fourth inning. 

 Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and improved her record to 18-6 with another impressive performance. Williams surrendered one hit and zero runs, while striking out seven batters in 3.0 innings of work.

Lauryn Cottrell struck out one batters and allowed one run in 1.0 inning of work, followed by Abi Gregory striking out two batters in the scoreless fifth inning.

As a team, the Drovers produced 11 hits on offense, coming from eight different players. Tyler Trott led the way with a three-hit performance, going 3-3 with a double and two runs scored. Slater Eck concluded 2-2 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Sierra Selfridge finished 1-3 with her fourth homer of the year, along with a run and two RBIs. Jaclyn Gray also finished 1-3 with a double and a pair of runs batted in.

Sophie Williams helped her own cause by going 1-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Malea McMurtrey went 1-3 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Jaylee Willis drove in a pair of runs as she went 1-3, and Taygan Graham went 1-2 with a walk and a run scored. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Science & Arts will take on No. 3 seeded Mid-America Christian University on Friday, May 5 at 1:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark. 

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