Drovers Sweep First Day of NAIA Opening Round
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Avila | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
|
Science and Arts | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | X | 4 | 5 | 0 |
| Final (9) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mobile | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
|
Science and Arts | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Tuesday afternoon, the No. 1 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (39-13, 25-7 SAC) opened the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round with a with a double-header sweep against No. 4 seed Avila University and No. 2 seed University of Mobile. The Drovers opened the day with a 4-0 victory against the Eagles, followed by a thrilling nine-inning, walk-off triumph against the Rams.
GAME 1 vs #4 Avila (35-20, 16-8 KCAC)
The Drovers faced Aliva in the Eagles' last national tournament appearance in 2019, defeating AU twice (10-3 and 6-3) on their way to a trip to the NAIA World Series. Overall, USAO is now a perfect 5-0 against Avila all-time, with the previous four victories coming in the 2019 and 2020 seasons (2x in each season).
Tuesday's game opened with a pair of scoreless innings, prior to Science & Arts claiming the first lead with one run in the bottom of the third, as Malea McMurtrey drove in Slater Eck on a fielder's choice.
The Drovers added a trio of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, highlighted by McMurtrey's two-RBI triple to right-center field.
A four-run cushion was more than enough of an advantage for Sophie Williams to improve her record to 22-6. Williams surrendered only four hits and struck out four batters as she collected her ninth complete game shutout of the season.
At the plate, the Drovers compiled five hits, while holding the Eagles to four.
Four different players recorded hits for USAO in the win, led by Slater Eck and Malea McMurtrey's big performances. Eck concluded 2-2 with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base, while McMurtrey finished 1-3 with a triple, a run scored, and three runs batted in.
Jaycee Kievit and Isabella Portillo each added singles against Avila.
GAME 2 vs #2 Mobile (39-14, 23-5 SSAC)
The showdown against Mobile was a rematch of a pair of tough losses for USAO in the NAIA Softball World Series last season, and the Drovers were able to avenge their losses last year to advance in the winner's bracket of the 2023 Opening Round. The Rams ended USAO's 2022 season with an extra-inning victory in the 10th inning of the national semifinal game.
In the rematch, USAO struck first, bringing across one run in the bottom of the first inning. The lead didn't last long as Mobile scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. However, the Drovers immediately responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the third to tie the score at 2-2.
The score remained locked at 2-2 until the bottom of the ninth inning when Jaclyn Gray drove in the winning run on a deep sac-fly to center field, scoring Malea McMurtrey to end the game in walk-off fashion.
Sophie Williams was once again sensational in the circle, improving her record to 23-6 and lowered her earned run average to 1.33. The 2023 Sooner Athletic Conference co-Pitcher of the Year only surrendered two earned runs, while striking out three batters.
As a team, Science & Arts produced 11 hits in the win, while Mobile pieced together 10 hits to score their two runs.
Eight different Drovers recorded hits against the Rams, led by Malea McMurtrey's three-hit performance. McMurtrey concluded 3-5 with a run scored.
Sierra Selfridge added a pair of hits and concluded 2-4 with a double and a run scored. Jaclyn Gray, Taygan Graham, and Jaycee Kievit each singled and drove in a run. Sophie Williams, Jaylee Willis, and Tyler Trott each delivered singles at the dish.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Science & Arts is now one win away from another trip to the NAIA World series and they will face the winner between No. 2 Mobile and No. 4 Avila on Wednesday, May 17. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. Should the Drovers happen to lose the game at 2:30 PM, then they would play the "if necessary" game at 5:00 PM CT, with the winner going to the World Series.
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