Selfridge and Williams Guide the Drovers to a Series Sweep Against SCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 4 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (24-7, 15-5 SAC) wrapped up the four-game sweep with a pair of victories against Southwestern Christian University (15-14, 11-7 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 7-1 victory, followed by a dominant 7-6 triumph in the series finale. On Thursday, USAO earned a pair of shutout victories, winning game one 4-0, followed by a 12-0 performance 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 47-1 against SCU since March 12, 2013. Additionally, USAO has won each of the last 32 against SCU since 2016.

-GAME 3-

The Drovers got off to a hot start in the third game of the series, scoring once in the top of the first inning. USAO maintained a 1-0 lead until the bottom of the fourth when SCU knotted the score at 1-1. However, USAO responded with a six-run outburst in the top of the fifth inning to take a comfortable 7-1 lead. Defense would shine in the final innings and both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and was dominant as she improved her record to 14-4 with a complete game victory. Williams went all 7.0 innings, surrendering one run on four hits, and she struck out 10 batters. This season, Williams owns a 1.06 earned run average and she has struck out 148 batters in 105.2 innings pitched. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 11 hits and four walks, while SCU was held to only four hits and one walk. The Eagles committed one fielding error, and the Drovers did not commit an error on defense. 

The Drover offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances from Sierra Selfridge, Jadyn Goucher, and Kamryn James. Selfridge concluded 2-4 with a pair of singles, while Goucher concluded 2-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in. James finished 2-4 with a double and a run batted in. 

Taygan Graham closed the game 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in, while Leighanne Eaton went 1-4 with a double. 

Macenzie Ruth, Sophie Williams, and Shaylann Grace each delivered one single in the win. 

-GAME 4-

The series finale was highlighted by a massive performance from Sierra Selfridge, propelling the Drovers to a 7-6 comeback victory.

After USAO claimed an early 4-0 lead with two runs in each of the first two innings, SCU responded with five runs in the bottom of the second to claim a 5-4 advantage. 

The Eagles remained in the lead until the top of the fourth inning when the Drovers struck for their final three runs, highlighted by Sierra Selfridge's three-run homer. 

Down, but not out, SCU cut the deficit to one with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. 

The Drovers brought Sophie Williams out of the bullpen for the final 3.2 innings, and she was nearly perfect as she collected her first save of the season. 

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and went 2.0 innings prior to being relieved by Abi Gregory for 1.1 innings. Anderson struck out one batter, and Gregory struck out two as she improved her record to 3-1. Williams struck out three batters in 3.2 scoreless innings.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 14 hits and three walks. Meanwhile, the Eagles tallied 12 hits and one walk. The Drovers committed one fielding error, while the Eagles did not commit an error on defense. 

Sierra Selfridge delivered a historic performance at the plate to lead USAO to victory, going 2-4 with a home run and six runs batted in. Selfridge's six RBIs are the second most in a single game in program history. Over the last five games, Selfridge is batting 7-18 (.389) with three homers, three runs scored, and 11 RBIs.

Kamryn James continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-4 with a run scored. In the last four games, James is batting 8-12 (.667) with two doubles, three runs scored, and two RBIs. This season, the outfielder has appeared in 23 games and owns an incredible .500 batting average.

Macenzie Ruth concluded 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Malea McMurtrey went 2-2 with two walks and two runs scored. 

Jadyn Goucher, Leighanne Eaton, Addison Willis, Taygan Graham, and Jaylee Willis each singled in the series finale.  

NEED FOR SPEED

The Drovers are one of the fastest teams in the NAIA and they blaze the basepaths. Through 31 games, USAO has recorded 85 stolen bases, which is the second most in the Sooner Athletic Conference and ranks 10^th in the NAIA. This season, Macenzie Ruth ranks fourth in the NAIA in stolen bases with 35 and she sits comfortably atop the program record book with 155 in her career. Ruth is now only 12 stolen bases shy of cracking into the top five of the NAIA's record book for most stolen bases in a career (167 – Lisa Francis, Culver Stockton). The current NAIA record for most steals in a career is held by Brittany Webb with 213. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on April 5-6 as they host a four-game series against Texas Wesleyan University at Bill Smith Ballpark. Friday's double-header is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM CT, followed by a noon start time for Saturday's twin-bill. 

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