#6 USAO Makes History and Opens the Season with a Pair of Extra Inning Victories in Texas

MESQUITE, Texas – Friday afternoon, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2-0, 0-0 SAC) opened the 2024 season with an impressive double-header sweep at the SCS NAIA Invitational. The Drovers opened the day with a thrilling 2-1 extra inning victory against Tabor College (0-1, 0-0 KCAC), followed by another 2-1 extra inning triumph against No. 10 ranked Midland University (4-1, 0-0 GPAC). 

-GAME 1 vs TABOR COLLEGE (KS)-

The first game of the season was a tremendous pitcher's duel, with neither team able to bring across a run until the top of the eighth inning, when Jadyn Goucher brought in a pair of runs with a double. Tabor managed to score once in the bottom of the eighth, but USAO was able to slam the door shut and close out the first victory of the 2024 campaign. 

Jayden Anderson delivered a historic performance in her Drover debut, delivering 8.0 innings of work and only allowed one run, while striking out a program record of 19 batters. Additionally, Anderson only surrendered one hit and two walks to earn the win.

As a team, USAO's offense produced four hits, coming from three different players. Macenzie Ruth led the way going 2-4 with a run scored, while Jadyn Goucher went 1-4 with a pair of runs batted in. Kamryn James finished 1-3, and Malea McMurtrey scored a run. 

-GAME 2 vs #10 MIDLAND UNIVERSITY (NE)-

The second game of the day was another thrilling pitcher's duel that required extra innings and neither team was able to get onto the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Leighanne Eaton drove in Macenzie Ruth to give USAO a 1-0 lead. However, the lead did not last long as Midland responded with a run of their own in the top of the fifth inning.

The score remained tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the eighth inning when Macenzie Ruth drove in Kamryn James to give the Drovers the walk-off victory. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for the Drovers and earned her first win of the season, delivering 8.0 stellar innings of work. Williams only surrendered one run on three hits, and she struck out eight batters.

Both teams compiled three hits in the top 10 showdown, and USAO was led by Macenzie Ruth's two-hit performance. Ruth concluded 2-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Ruth also stole a base an inched closer to the program record. The speedster has stolen 123 bases, and the current record is held by Shyla Clouse (128).

Sophie Williams also helped her own cause by going 1-3 at the plate. Leighanne Eaton drove in a run with a sac-fly.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday (Feb. 10) as they play a triple-header at the SCS NAIA Invitational in Mesquite, Texas. The Drovers will open the day against Oklahoma Wesleyan University at 10:00 AM CT, followed by Missouri Baptist University at 2:50 PM and Benedictine College at 5:15 PM.

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