#6 USAO Sweeps Double-Header at Gulf Coast Invitational

GULF SHORES, Ala. – Saturday evening, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-2, 4-0 SAC) extended their win-streak to seven with a double-header sweep against Campbellsville University and No. 16 ranked Middle Georgia State University at the Gulf Coast Invitational. USAO won the first game 11-2, followed by a 4-3 walk-off victory in the finale. 

GAME 1 vs CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY (7-5, 0-0 MSC)

The Drovers scored early and often to cruise to a dominant 11-2 victory in the first game of the evening.

The Drovers claimed an early lead as Jadyn Goucher drove in Sophie Williams to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The USAO offense exploded for six runs in the top of the second, highlighted by Sierra Selfridge's 3-RBI double.

USAO commanded a 7-0 lead until the top of the fourth when they added on four more runs, courtesy of extra base hits from Leighanne Eaton and Jadyn Goucher. 

Campbellsville scored their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the fifth.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO, delivering 5.0 innings of work, allowing two earned runs on two hits, and struck out nine batters to improve her record to 7-1 so far this season. Through 44.1 innings of work this season, she has produced a 0.79 earned run average and has struck out 62 batters.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on five Campbellsville fielding errors, three walks, and 10 base hits. The Tigers reached base via two hits, and they drew one walk. USAO left eight players stranded on the bases, while CU left two runners on.

The Drover offense was led by four multi-hit performances. Sierra Selfridge led the way, going 2-4 with a double and three runs batted in. Jadyn Goucher concluded 2-3 with triple, a run scored, and 2 RBIs, while Leighanne Eaton went 2-3 with a double, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Macenzie Ruth went 2-4 with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in.

Sophie Williams helped her own cause by going 1-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Jordan Ramsay went 1-2 with a run scored and a stolen base. 

GAME 2 vs #16 MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY (9-4, 3-1 SSAC)

The game opened with two scoreless innings, prior to the Drovers capturing a 2-0 lead on Macenzie Ruth's and Malea McMurtrey's RBI-singles in the bottom of the third. USAO added more insurance with Taygan Graham's RBI-double with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. 

Middle Georgia cut the deficit to 3-1 with a run in the top of the fifth and they managed to tie the score at three with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. The Drovers earned the victory in walk-off fashion as Macenzie Ruth drove in Jordan Ramsay in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and delivered 6.1 solid innings of work. Anderson struck out three batters, while allowing two earned runs on seven hits. Sophie Williams was credited with the win after recording the final two outs of the game with strikeouts. Williams now owns an impressive 8-1 record, with wins against three ranked opponents already (#10 Midland, #12 Mobile, #16 MGSU).

As a team, USAO reached the bases on two Middle Georgia fielding errors, four walks, and five hits. The Knights reached base via seven hits, one error, and they drew five walks. USAO left five players stranded on the bases, while MGSU left 10 runners on.

Macenzie Ruth led the USAO offense with a 2-4 performance that included one run scored and one run batted in. Taygan Graham went 1-3 with a double and a run batted in, while Malea McMurtrey went 1-3 with a run batted in. Jordan Ramsay went 1-3 with a pair of runs scored, including the game-winning run.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now return to Chickasha for a double-header against Peru State University on Wednesday, March 6. First pitch of the twin-bill is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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