#4 USAO Splits Series Against MACU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 4 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (20-7, 11-5 SAC) split a double-header against rival Mid-America Christian University (16-11, 9-7 SAC). The Drovers suffered a 2-0 loss in the first game of the day, followed by a 7-0 triumph in the series finale. 

The Drovers have dominated the all-time series against the Evangels, going 50-15 against MACU since April 1, 2008. Additionally, USAO has won 27 of the last 33 against MACU since 2017.

-GAME 1-

The Drover was stifled in the first game of the day and was shutout for the first time this season. MACU scored the only two runs of the game in the top of the third on a single to left field. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on four hits, and they drew two walks. The Evangels also had six hits and did not draw a walk. The Drovers committed two fielding errors, while MACU only had one fumble on defense.

Sierra Selfridge led the Drovers at the plate, going 2-3 with a pair of singles. Macenzie Ruth and Sophie Williams each recorded one single.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and suffered just her fourth loss of the season. Williams went all 7.0 innings, surrendering no earned runs on six hits, and she struck out six batters. This season, Williams owns a 12-4 record with a 1.19 earned run average and she has struck out 119 batters in 88.0 innings pitched. 

-GAME 2-

For the first time in the four-game series, USAO managed to strike first, bringing in one run in each of the first three innings. USAO extended the lead to 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, courtesy of a pair of RBI-singles from Addison Willis and Jordan Ramsay.

The Drovers scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on Sierra Selfridge's solo-home run.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 11 hits and one walk. Meanwhile, the Evangels also recorded only three hits, and did not draw a walk. The Drovers committed one fielding error, while the Evangels committed three errors on defense. 

The Drover offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances from Sierra Selfridge, Addison Willis, and Jordan Ramsay. Selfridge launched her second homer of the season in a 2-4 performance. Willis went 2-3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in, while Ramsay went 2-2 with three runs batted in. 

Kamryn James and Malea McMurtrey each singled and scored, while Jadyn Goucher tripled and scored. 

Leighanne Eaton concluded 1-4 and drove in one run. Taygan Graham played terrific on defense and went 1-3 at the plate. 

Jayden Anderson improved her record to 6-2 with another strong 7.0 inning performance. Anderson struck out four batters in the shutout, and only surrendered three hits.  

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now hit the road for a four-game series at Southwestern Christian University on March 28-29 in Bethany, Okla. Thursday's double-header is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM CT, followed by a 12:00 PM start time for Saturday's twin-bill.

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