#6 USAO Compiles 31 Runs and Sweeps Double-Header at Langston

LANGSTON, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (30-7, 21-5 SAC) opened a four-game sweep with a double-header sweep at Langston University (8-28, 4-22 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 15-0 victory, followed by a 16-0 triumph in game two. 

Additionally, the Drovers have commanded the all-time series against the Lions, going 24-0 since February 19, 2014.

-GAME 1-

The Drovers scored early and often as they cruised to a 15-0 victory. 

USAO got started with a bang as Macenzie Ruth and Sierra Selfridge each launched home runs in a five-run effort in the top of the first inning. The slugfest continued with three more runs for the Drovers, highlighted by home runs from Selfridge and Jadyn Goucher. 

The Drovers extended the lead to 10-0 with a pair of runs in the third inning. USAO pushed the advantage to 15-0 as Sophie Williams and Camryn Clark each homered in a five-run fourth inning.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and was perfect as she improved her record to 17-4. Williams did not allow any baserunners through 4.0 innings, and she struck out 10 batters. This season, Williams owns a 1.04 earned run average and she has struck out 169 batters in 121.2 innings pitched. 

Allison Couch was called to relieve Williams in the fifth and proceeded to strike out two batters in a scoreless inning of work. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 14 hits and three walks, while Langston was held to only two hits and zero walks. The Lions also committed two fielding errors, while the Drovers did not commit a fielding error.

Sierra Selfridge led the way for the Drovers at the plate in the series opener, going 2-3 with a pair of home runs and five runs batted in. Jadyn Goucher was also terrific at the dish, going 3-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Macenzie Ruth concluded 2-4 with her fourth homer of the season, along with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Sophie Williams helped her own cause by going 2-4 with a double, a homer, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Malea McMurtrey went 2-3 with a walk, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Camryn Clark launched a three-run homer in her only at bat of the game, while Shaylann Grace and Taygan Graham each went 1-2 with a run scored. 

-GAME 2-

The Drovers once again scored in bunched as they collected a 16-0 win in the second game of the day. USAO began the game with four runs in the top of the first inning, followed by three more in the second.

The Drovers added four more runs in the third to extend the lead to 11-0, highlighted by RBI-doubles from Sierra Selfridge and Leighanne Eaton. Macenzie Ruth drove in one run in the fourth inning, and the Drovers final three runs came in the fifth inning, highlighted by Shaylann Grace's fourth home run of the season. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 18 hits and one walk. Meanwhile, the Lions tallied two hits and zero walks. Langston committed two fielding errors and USAO did not commit an error in the field. 

 The Drover offense was led by four multi-hit performances, led by Macenzie Ruth going 4-4 with three runs scored, a run batted in, and a program record of eight stolen bases. Ruth has now tallied 165 stolen bases in her career, and with two more stolen bases she will crack into the top five in NAIA history for stolen bases in a career (167- Lisa Francis, Culver-Stockton (Mo. ), 1991-94).

Leighanne Eaton was also perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Jadyn Goucher finished 3-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and one run batted in. 

Sierra Selfridge stayed red-hot and concluded 2-3 with two doubles, three runs scored, and two RBIs. Selfridge's offensive production has gone through the rough as of late, going 14-29 (.483) with three doubles, five home runs, nine runs scored, and 21 runs batted in over the last nine games. 

Shaylann Grace launched a three-run homer in her only at bat of the game. Malea McMurtrey went 1-2 with a walk, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. 

Addison Willis and Kamryn James each singled and drove in a run, while Triniti Cotanny and Jordan Ramsay each singled and scored. 

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 9-2 with 4.0 solid innings of work. Anderson struck out seven batters while allowing one hit and zero runs. Gabby Toquothty delivered one scoreless inning and struck out three batters.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Lions will conclude the four-game series with another double-header on Saturday April 13 in Langston, Okla. First-pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT.

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