#2 USAO and #5 OCU Split Day One of Series

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday night, the No. 2 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (18-3, 9-1 SAC) spilt the highly anticipated double-header against No. 5 Oklahoma City University (20-2, 9-1 SAC). The Drovers earned an exhilarating 5-4 walk-off victory in game one, followed by a tough 4-1 loss in game two, snapping USAO's 14-game win-streak. 

USAO currently trails OCU in the all-time series 44-19 since 2008, but the Drovers have had much better luck against the Stars since 2018, going 15-15 in the last 30 games between the rivals. The Drovers and the Stars have met in each of the last five Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship games, with OCU winning three, and USAO winning two.

-GAME 1-

The series opener began with three scoreless innings, but the Drovers broke the scoreless tie with a three-run inning in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by Leighanne Eaton's fifth home run of the season.

USAO clung to a 3-0 lead until the top of the sixth, when OCU launched a three-run homer to tie the game at 3-3. 

The Drovers once again claimed the lead with one run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Stars managed to bring the score even once more, with one run in the top of the seventh. 

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Shaylann Grace drove in the game-winning run with a RBI-single to left field to give the Drovers the victory. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 10 hits, and they drew one walk. The Stars had six hits, along with three walks and reached on one fielding error by the Drovers. 

A trio of Drovers led the offensive with two hits each, highlighted by Jadyn Goucher going 2-4 with a pair of runs scored. Macenzie Ruth went 2-3 with a walk and two stolen bases, while Sierra Selfridge went 2-3 with a walk and a double. 

Shaylann Grace concluded 1-2 with a walk and a RBI. Jordan Ramsay went 1-3 with two runs batted in, while Taygan Graham went 1-3 with a run batted in.

Leighanne Eaton launched a solo-homer and went 1-4 at the dish. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 12-1 by delivering 7.0 strong innings of work. Williams surrendered three earned runs on six hits, while striking out four batters.

So far this season, Williams has been selected as the Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week four times, and she owns a 0.84 earned run average, along with 105 strikeouts in 67.0 innings pitched. Furthermore, she owns wins against six teams that are currently ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll (#5 Oklahoma City, #12 Midland, #13 Mobile, #17 Middle Georgia, RV Missouri Baptist, RV Campbellsville).

-GAME 2-

The game began with a pair of scoreless innings, but the Stars claimed the first lead with a pair of runs in the top of the third. OCU added to their lead with one run in the fifth, followed by one more in the sixth. Macenzie Ruth gave the Drovers life in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo-home run. However, USOA was unable to add any more runs and suffered their first home loss of the season. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on five hits, while the Stars had seven hits and reached on one error.

The Drover offense was led by the red-hot Macenzie Ruth. The speedy center fielder went 2-3 at the plate with a solo-homer and a stolen base. Since March 2, Ruth has recorded multiple hits in 10 consecutive games, and has gone 24-38 at the dish (.631) with one double, three triples, three homer, 14 runs scored, and nine runs batted in. She has also stolen 13 bases in that 10-game span. 

Leighanne Eaton went 1-3 with a double, while Malea McMurtrey and Taygan Graham each went 1-3 with a single. 

 Jadyn Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and went all 7.0 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and struck out five batters.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The four-game series will conclude with another double-header on Saturday, March 16, beginning at 2:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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