Drovers Outscore Eagles 16-0 and Sweep Double-Header

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday evening, the No. 4 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (22-7, 13-5 SAC) opened the four-game series with a double-header sweep against Southwestern Christian University (15-14, 11-7 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a 4-0 victory in the first game of the day, followed by a dominant 12-0 triumph in game two. 

With the series originally scheduled to be hosted by the Eagles, the series had to be moved to Chickasha due to poor field conditions at SCU. Despite playing on their home field, the Drovers will be the away team on the scoreboard for the entirety of the 4-game series. 

The Drovers have dominated the all-time series against the Eagles, going 45-1 against SCU since March 12, 2013. Additionally, USAO has won each of the last 30 against SCU since 2016.

-GAME 1-

The series opener featured a pair of solid pitching performances, as well as perfect defense. Neither team was able to bring across a run in the opening two innings, but USAO managed to strike first with a run in the top of the third inning. The Drovers doubled their lead with one more run in the top of the fourth. 

USAO held a 2-0 lead until the top of the sixth when they once again doubled their lead with a pair of RBI-singles from Jadyn Goucher and Sophie Williams. Pitching and defense wrapped up the win for the Drovers in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and was dominant as she improved her record to 13-4 with a complete game shutout. Williams went all 7.0 innings, surrendering no earned runs on one hit, and she struck out 16 batters. This season, Williams owns a 1.11 earned run average and she has struck out 135 batters in 95.0 innings pitched. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on seven hits and five walks, while SCU was held to only one hit and zero walks. Neither team committed a fielding error in the series opener. 

Malea McMurtrey and Jadyn Goucher led the Drovers at the plate with a pair of two-hit performances. McMurtrey concluded 2-3 with a walk and a run batted in, while Goucher went 2-4 with two runs scored and one run batted in. 

Sophie Williams and Shaylann Grace each singled and drove in a run. Macenzie Ruth finished 1-3 with a walk and stole a pair of bases. 

-GAME 2-

The Drovers took an early lead in the second game and never let off the gas pedal for the rest of the game. 

The Drovers captured an early lead with one run in the top of the first inning, followed by four more in the top of the third inning, highlighted by Jadyn Goucher's seventh home run of the season. 

The score remained 5-0 until the top of the sixth when USAO compiled seven runs, highlighted by Sierra Selfridge's three-run homer. 

The Drovers held the Eagles scoreless in the bottom of the sixth and ended the game early due to the "mercy rule".

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 12 hits and six walks. Meanwhile, the Eagles tallied four hits and two walks. The Drovers committed two fielding errors, while the Eeagles committed three errors on defense. 

The USAO offense was led by four multi-hit performers, including Addison Willis' perfect 3-3 night at the plate. Willis drew a walk, launched a double, scored two runs, and drove in one run. Jadyn Goucher concluded 2-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Macenzie Ruth also went 2-4 and she scored a pair of runs. Kamryn James was perfect at the plate, going 2-2 with a double, a pair of walks, a run scored, and a run batted in. 

Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-3 with a walk, a homer, one run scored, and four RBIs. Shaylann Grace did not record a hit, but she did score a run and drive in three runs. 

Leighanne Eaton went 1-4 with a double and a run scored, while Malea McMurtrey went 1-3 with a run scored. 

Jayden Anderson improved her record to 7-2 with another strong complete game performance. In the shutout, Anderson struck out four batters, while only surrendering four hits and two walks. Through 71.2 innings of work this season, the freshman owns a 1.95 earned run average and she has struck out 68 batters. 

NEED FOR SPEED

The Drovers are one of the fastest teams in the NAIA and they blaze the basepaths. Through 29 games, USAO has recorded 77 stolen bases, which is the most in the Sooner Athletic Conference and ranks ninth in the NAIA. This season, Macenzie Ruth ranks fifth in the NAIA in stolen bases with 31 and she sits comfortably atop the program record book with 151 in her career. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Eagles will conclude the four-game series with a double-header on Friday, March 29 at Bill Smith Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM CT.

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