#2 USAO Drops Double-Header Against #5 OCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Sunday afternoon, the No. 2 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (18-5, 9-3 SAC) suffered a pair of tough losses against No. 5 Oklahoma City University (22-2, 11-1 SAC). The Drovers were dealt a 4-2 loss in the first game of the day, followed by a 9-2 defeat in the series finale.  

USAO currently trails OCU in the all-time series 46-19 since 2008, but the Drovers have had much better luck against the Stars since 2018, going 15-17 in the last 32 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.

With the losses, USAO is now 6-5 against teams that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, and all of their losses have come against teams in the top five. 

-GAME 1-

The Stars wasted no time taking the lead, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the third when the Drovers brought in two runs on Malea McMurtrey's single to left field.

With the score knotted at 2-2 in the top of the seventh, OCU managed to strike for two more runs to take the late lead. USAO was unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning and suffered the loss.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on three hits, and they drew three walks. The Stars had nine hits, along with one walk. Both teams committed one fielding error.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and suffered just her second loss of the season. Williams went all 7.0 innings, surrendering four runs on nine hits and she struck out two batters. This season, Williams owns a 12-2 record with a 1.14 earned run average and she has struck out 107 batters in 74.0 innings pitched. 

Malea McMurtrey led the Drovers at the plate, going 1-3 with a pair of runs batted in. Jordan Ramsay concluded 1-3, while Macenzie Ruth went 1-4 with a run scored. 

-GAME 2-

The Stars once again quickly took the lead, bringing across one run in the top of the first inning. However, the Drovers immediately responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 1-1. 

Neither team scored in the second inning, but the Stars would then go on to score eight runs over the next four innings, scoring two in the third, three in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth. 

The Drovers scored their final run in the bottom of the sixth. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on eight hits and one OCU fielding error. Meanwhile, the Stars had 16 hits, drew five walks, and reached base on four fielding errors by the Drovers.

Abi Gregory got the start in the circle for USAO and pitched the opening 3.2 innings, allowing a trio of earned runs and she struck out a pair of batters. Gabby Toquothty did not allow an earned run in 0.2 innings of work. Jayden Anderson pitched the final 3.0 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, and she struck out three batters.

The Drover offense was led by a trio of multi-hit games from Malea McMurtrey, Sierra Selfridge, and Kamryn James. McMurtrey went 2-4 with a triple and a run scored, while James went 2-3 with a triple and a run scored. Selfridge concluded 2-4 with a pair of singles. Taygan Graham went 1-2 with a run batted in, while Jadyn Goucher went 1-2.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action at home for another rivalry series against Mid-America Christian University on March 22-23. Friday's double-header is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM CT, followed by a 12:00 PM CT start time for Saturday's twin-bill.

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