Williams and Eaton Shine as #6 USAO Extends Win Streak to 13

LANGSTON, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (32-7, 23-5 SAC) concluded the four-game sweep with another double-header sweep at Langston University (8-30, 4-24 SAC). The Drovers extended their win streak to 13 with a 9-0 win in the first game of the day, followed by a 10-2 triumph in the series finale. 

The Drovers claimed a 15-0 victory in Friday's series opener, and a 16-0 win in the second game of the series.

In the four-game series, the Drovers outscored the Lions 50-2, and recorded 60 hits. Of those 60 hits, 22 went for extra bases, and 11 were home runs. Additionally, the Drovers have commanded the all-time series against the Lions, going 26-0 since February 19, 2014.

-GAME 1-

The Drovers captured an early lead and used a perfect game from Sophie Williams to cruise to a 9-0 victory. 

USAO struck for three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by Leighanne Eaton's eighth home run of her freshman campaign. 

The Drovers added on five runs in the top of the second inning, two of which came on Sophie Williams' second home run of the season.

USAO scored their final run in the top of the fourth, courtesy of Eaton's second longball of the game. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and delivered the fourth perfect game of her historic career. Williams also owns a trio of no-hitters in her career as well. On Saturday, she improved her record to 18-4 as she 12 batters while allowing zero baserunners in 5.0 innings of work. She also went 1-2 at the plate, with a walk, a home run, and two runs batted in.

This season, Williams owns a 0.99 earned run average and she has struck out 181 batters in 126.2 innings pitched. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 11 hits and one walk, while Langston was unable to produce a baserunner. The Lions also committed one fielding error, while the Drovers did not commit a fielding error. 

The Drover offense was led by Leighanne Eaton's perfect performance at the plate, going 3-3 with two homers, three runs scored, and four runs batted in. 

Malea McMurtrey extended her hit-streak to eight games as she concluded 2-3 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. 

Sierra Selfridge went 1-3 with a double and a run scored, while Macenzie Ruth went 1-1 with two stolen bases and a run scored. Ruth has now tallied 167 stolen bases in her career, which ties her for fifth in NAIA history for stolen bases in a career (167- Lisa Francis, Culver-Stockton (Mo.), 1991-94).

Camryn Clark hit a double in her only at bat of the game. Shaylann Grace and Taylor Cronic each singled in the win. 

-GAME 2-

After a bit of a slow start to the game, the Drovers caught fire late and closed out the series sweep with a 10-2 victory.

After a scoreless first inning, the Drovers captured the first lead of the game with one run in the top of the second inning.

Both teams scored a pair of runs in the third inning, but that is as close as the Lions would get. USAO extended the lead to 4-2 with one run in the top of the fourth inning.

The score remained 4-2 until the sixth inning, when the Drovers brought across four insurance runs. Jaylee Willis blasted a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to bring in USAO's final two runs of the series.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 17 hits and three Langston fielding errors. Meanwhile, the Lions tallied four hits and two walks. Langston also reached the bases on a pair of USAO fielding errors. 

The Drover offense was led by a trio of three-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey, Leighanne Eaton, and Jaylee Willis. McMurtrey finished 3-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Eaton concluded 3-4 with a double and a run batted in, while Willis went 3-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Sierra Selfridge scored twice and drove in two runs as she went 2-5. Kamryn James went 2-4 with a double and two runs scored, while Taygan Graham went 2-3 with two runs scored. 

Addison Willis finished 1-3 with a RBI, and Shaylann Grace singled in her only at bat of the game. 

Abi Gregory got the start in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 5-1 with 4.0 solid innings of work. Gregory struck out five batters while allowing two hits and two runs. Gabby Toquothty delivered 3.0 scoreless inning and struck out five batters.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return home for their final regular season home-series next weekend (April 19-20), as they host Central Christian for a four-game set. Friday's double-header is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM CT, followed by a 12:00 PM first pitch for Saturday's twin-bill.

The weekend will also be Alumni Weekend and the Drovers will celebrate the 2024 senior class on Saturday with Senior Day.

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