Williams Strikeouts out 13 as USAO Shuts Out MACU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 2 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (37-13, 25-7 SAC) advanced in the winner's bracket of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a 1-0 walk-off victory against Mid-America Christian University (36-16, 20-12 SAC).

With the win, the Drovers improve to 48-13 all-time against the Evangels, a series that dates back to April 1, 2008. Furthermore, USAO has won 25 of 29 games against MACU since the start of the 2017 season.

For the fourth time out of five meetings against MACU this season, the conference rivals went into extra innings to determine a winner. Neither team was able to score in the evenly matched pitcher's duel until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Sierra Selfridge drove in the winning run as the Evangels committed a fielding error with a runner on third base. 

Sophie Williams was dominant in the circle for USAO, delivering a complete game shutout for the eighth time this season. Williams improved her record to 19-6 as she held the Evangels to only two hits and she struck out 13 batters. The sophomore pitcher currently ranks first in the conference in strikeouts (219), second in earned run average (1.34), and third in wins (19).

At the plate, the Drovers produced four hits, while the Evangels only managed to collect a pair of hits.

Jaclyn Gray once again led the way for USAO with a 2-4 performance. Jaycee Kievit and Slater Eck each finished 1-2 with singles. Sophie Williams scored the only run of the game.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Science & Arts will take on the winner between No. 3 MACU and No. 6 SAGU on Saturday, May 6 at 3:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark. With a win, the Drovers would advance to their fifth consecutive SAC Tournament championship game appearance. 

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