#6 USAO Extends Win-Streak to Seven with Double-Header Sweep Against Texas Wesleyan

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday night, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (26-7, 17-5 SAC) opened a four-game sweep with a double-header sweep against Texas Wesleyan University (19-15, 12-10 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 6-2 victory, followed by a thrilling 4-3 triumph in game two. 

The Drovers have commanded the all-time series against the Rams, going 33-9 against SCU since March 12, 2013. Additionally, USAO has won 20 of the last 22 against TX WES since April 20, 2018. 

-GAME 1-

After the game began with a scoreless first inning, the Drovers scored a pair of runs on a pair of solo home runs from Leighanne Eaton and Shaylann Grace in the bottom of the second. 

The Rams cut the deficit in half with a run of their own in the top of the fourth, but the Drovers responded with a run of their own to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the fourth. USAO added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on Sierra Selfridge's fifth home run of the season. Malea McMurtrey drove in USAO's final insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, followed by Texas Wesleyan's final run in the top of the seventh. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and was stellar as she improved her record to 15-4 with another complete game victory. Williams went all 7.0 innings, surrendering two runs on four hits, and she struck out four batters. This season, Williams owns a 1.11 earned run average and she has struck out 152 batters in 113.2 innings pitched. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 10 hits and two walks, while Texas Wesleyan was held to only four hits and one walk. Both teams committed one fielding error. 

The USAO offense was led by a pair of three-hit performances from Macenzie Ruth and Shaylann Grace. Ruth concluded 3-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored, while Grace went 3-3 with a double, a homer, and two runs batted in.

Leighanne Eaton went 1-1 with a homerun, two hit by pitches, and two runs scored. 

Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Taygan Graham and Malea McMurtrey went 1-3.

-GAME 2-

After the game opened with a scoreless first inning, the Rams claimed the first lead of the game with one run in the top of the second. However, the lead was short-lived as the Drovers scored a run of their own in the bottom of the second. 

Texas Wesleyan took a 3-1 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Drovers began to chip away at the lead with Taygan Graham's RBI-double in the bottom of the fourth.

USAO took over the lead the lead in the bottom of the fifth as Sierra Selfridge and Shaylann Grace each drove in a run to take a 4-3 advantage.

The Drovers used stellar defense and pitching in the sixth and seventh innings to close out the victory. 

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 8-2 with 6.0 solid innings of work. Anderson struck out five batters while allowing six hits and three runs.

Sophie Williams pitched the final inning and earned her second save of the season. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on eight hits and one walk. Meanwhile, the Rams tallied six hits and two walks. Texas Wesleyan committed two fielding errors and USAO did not commit an error in the field. 

Taygan Graham was perfect at the plate for the Drovers, going 3-3 with a double, and two runs batted in. Malea McMurtrey concluded 2-4 with a run scored, while Sierra Selfridge went 2-3 with a double and a run batted in. 

Shaylann Grace finished 1-1 with a run batted in. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Rams will conclude the four-game series with another double-header on Saturday April 6 at Bill Smith Ballpark. First-pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT.

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