Williams, Eaton, and Ruth Shine as #6 USAO Sweeps Double-Header Against WBU
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wayland Baptist (TX) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
|
Science and Arts | 3 | 0 | 7 | 1 | X | 11 | 8 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wayland Baptist (TX) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
|
Science and Arts | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | X | 8 | 13 | 2 |
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday evening, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (6-2, 2-0 SAC) opened conference play with an impressive double-header sweep against Wayland Baptist University (2-12, 0-2 SAC). USAO opened the day with a dominant 11-0 win, followed by an exciting 8-2 triumph in the finale.
-GAME 1-
The Drovers scored early and often as they cruised to an 11-0 victory in the 2024 home opener. Additionally, Sophie Williams delivered her second career perfect game and dominated the WBU batters.
The Drovers got off to a hot start and scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning. USAO extended their lead to 10-0 with a seven-run inning in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a 2-RBI double from Leighanne Eaton and a pair of triples from Shaylann Grace and Macenzie Ruth. The Drovers scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on Triniti Cottany's RBI-single to center field.
Eight different Drovers tallied one hit in the win. Macenzie Ruth contributed a 1-2 performance that included a triple, a walk, two runs scored, three runs batted in, and three stolen bases. Leighanne Eaton finished 1-1 with a double, a walk, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Sierra Selfridge went 1-2 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Shaylann Grace doubled and drove in a run, while Malea McMurtrey and Triniti Cottany each singled and drove in one run. Jadyn Goucher went 1-3 with a double and two runs scored. Allyson Arthur singled in her only at bat of the game.
Sophie Williams was PERFECT in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 4-1 so far this season. The two-time NAIA All-American recorded her second career perfect game, and she did so in spectacular fashion, striking out 13 batters in 5.0 innings of work. So far this season, Williams has produced a 0.53 earned run average, and she has struck out 42 batters in 26.1 innings pitched.
-GAME 2-
After surrendering one run in the top of the first inning of game two, the Drovers adapted and found a way to win.
WBU scored once in the top of the first, but USAO immediately captured a 2-1 lead on Jadyn Goucher's two-run homerun in the bottom of the first. USAO scored once in each of the next two innings and took a 4-1 lead into the fourth inning.
Leighanne Eaton launched her second homer of the game in the bottom of the fifth, extending USAO's lead to 5-1. WBU managed to score once in the top of the sixth, but the Drovers responded with a trio of runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach.
As a team, the Drovers compiled 13 hits, led by Leighanne Eaton's 4-4 performance at the plate. Eaton blasted two homers and a double, along with three runs scored and three runs batted in. Macenzie Ruth was also terrific, going 3-4 with a stolen base and a run batted in. With Ruth's stolen base, she became the program's all-time stolen base leader with her 130th career steal, surpassing the previous record held by Shyla Clouse.
Sierra Selfridge recorded a pair of hits as she went 2-3 with two singles. Jadyn Goucher went 1-4 with a homerun and two RBIs, while Malea McMurtrey went 1-4 with a run scored and a pair of RBIs. Taygan Graham and Shaylann Grace each singled in the win.
Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and delivered 6.0 stellar innings to improve her record to 2-1. Anderson did not allow an earned run, while allowing four hits and she struck out four batters in 6.0 innings of work. Gabby Toquothty struck out a pair of batters as she pitched a scoreless seventh inning to close out the victory.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers will wrap up the four-game series against WBU on Saturday, February 24. First-pitch of Saturday's double-header is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark in Chickasha, Okla.
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