#6 USAO Extends Win Streak to 15 With Double-Header Sweep Against CCC

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday evening, the No. 6 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (34-7, 25-5 SAC) extended their win streak to 15 with a double-header sweep against Central Christian College (15-26, 8-22 SAC). The Drovers extended their win streak to 13 with an 8-0 win in the first game of the day, followed by a 7-0 triumph in game two.

Additionally, the Drovers have commanded the all-time series against the Tigers, going 23-0 since March 16, 2018.

-GAME 1-

After the game began with a pair of scoreless innings, the Drovers caught fire and compiled eight runs over the next three innings to end the game early due to the "mercy rule". USAO scored three runs in the third and fourth innings, followed by their final two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and delivered her sixth shutout of the season. On Thursday, she improved her record to 19-4 as she struck out nine batters while allowing three hits in 5.0 innings of work. 

This season, Williams owns a 0.96 earned run average and she has struck out 190 batters in 131.2 innings pitched. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 11 hits and one walk, while the Tigers tallied three hits and one walk. Both teams committed a pair of fielding errors in the series opener. 

The Drover offense was led by four multi-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey, Sierra Selfridge, Taygan Graham, and Kinzie Williams. Selfridge concluded 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and three runs batted in, while Graham went 2-3 with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in. McMurtrey finished 2-3 with a run scored, while Williams went 2-2 with a walk, a run scored, and a RBI.

Jadyn Goucher concluded 1-3 with a run batted in, and Shaylann Grace went 1-3 with a run scored. Leighanne Eaton closed the series opener 1-3.

-GAME 2-

Despite the second game going all seven innings, the Drovers were just as dominant as they were in game one. Neither team scored in the first inning, but USAO was able to capture the first lead with a pair of runs in the second inning, followed by two more in the third. 

The score remained 4-0 until the bottom of the fifth, when the Drovers scored their final three runs of the contest.

USAO was led by another stellar pitching performance, as Jayden Anderson tossed a complete-game shutout for the fourth time this season. The freshman went all 7.0 innings against the Tigers and improved her record to 10-2. Anderson allowed only two hits and she struck out five batters. This season, Anderson has produced a 1.91 earned run average and she has struck out 86 batters in 91.2 innings.

As a team, the Drovers reached the bases on eight hits and three walks. Meanwhile, the Tigers tallied two hits and zero walks. CCC committed two fielding errors, while USAO had one.

Malea McMurtrey and Addison Willis led the Drovers at the plate, with a pair of multi-hit performances. McMurtrey concluded 2-3 with a walk, two doubles, two runs scored, and stole a base. The shortstop also extended her hit-streak to 11 games, and she has recorded multiple hits in five of the last six games. 

Willis concluded 2-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. 

Kinzie Williams finished 1-3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Leighanne Eaton, Jordan Ramsay, and Taygan Graham each singled in the win. 

SWINGIN' IT AND SLINGIN' IT

The Drovers are one of the NAIA's most complete teams, ranking in the top 10 of several major categories on offense as well as defense.

OFFENSE

• 2^nd – HOME RUNS (42)
• 3^rd – TOTAL BASES (599)
• 4^th – SLUGGING PCT. (.541)
• 6^th – STOLEN BASES (125)
• 7^th – RUNS SCORED (290)
• 10^th – EXTRA BASE HITS (115)
• 10^th – BATTING AVG. (.349)
• 10^th – HITS (387)

PITCHING

• 1^st – STRIKEOUTS (317)
• 5^th – EARNED RUN AVERAGE (1.40)
• T6^th – WHIP (0.95)

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Tigers will wrap up the series on Friday, April 19, with a double-header beginning at 2:00 PM CT. Friday will also serve as the annual Senior Day to celebrate the 2024 senior class.

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