Drovers Extend Win Streak to 23 with a Pair of Wins on Day One of SAC Tournament

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 2 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (42-7, 31-5 SAC) swept a pair of games on the first day of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament to extend their win streak to 23. The Drovers began the day with an 8-0 victory against No. 7 Oklahoma Panhandle State University, followed by a 2-0 triumph in the winner's bracket game against No. 3 Mid-America Christian University.

-GAME 1 vs #7 OPSU (15-35, 12-23 SAC)-

The Drovers led from start to finish as they claimed their fifth consecutive run-rule victory against the Aggies. USAO defeated OPSU in all four games last weekend in Goodwell and continued their success on Friday in Chickasha.

USAO has dominated the all-time series against OPSU, going 30-2 against the Aggies since the series began on March 1, 2017. 

The Drovers scored early and often as they cruised to an 8-0 win in the postseason opener. The Drovers scored three in the bottom of the first, followed by one run in the second and two in the third. USAO scored its final two runs in the bottom of the fifth to walk-off the Aggies. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 11 hits and two walks, while OPSU tallied one hit and did not draw a walk. The Aggies committed five errors on defense, while the Drovers had none. 

The Drover offense was led by four multi-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey, Sierra Selfridge, Taygan Graham, and Jadyn Goucher. Goucher led USAO with a 3-3 performance, which included a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in. McMurtrey finished 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Selfridge finished 2-3 with a run scored, while Graham went 2-2 with a walk and a run scored. 

Sophie Williams helped her own cause bu going 1-2 with a pair of runs batted in, while Triniti Cotanny went 1-1 with the walk-off RBI.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and claimed her 23^rd win, by striking out nine batters in 3.0 scoreless innings. Jayden Anderson delivered 2.0 perfect innings of relief, and she struck out two batters.

-GAME 2 vs #3 MACU (35-14, 27-9 SAC)-

The Drovers closed out the day with a hard fought 2-0 victory to advance in the winner's bracket. 

After the game began with a pair of scoreless innings, the Drovers scored their first run in the bottom of the third, as Macenzie Ruth scored on a throwing error after stealing third base. The final run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth as Sophie Williams drove in an insurance run.

The Drovers have dominated the all-time series against the Evangels, going 51-15 against MACU since April 1, 2008. Additionally, USAO has won 28 of the last 34 against MACU since 2017.

As a team, USAO reached the bases on four hits and four walks, while MACU tallied only one hit and three walks. The Evangels committed three errors on defense, while the Drovers did not commit an error.  

Sophie Williams and Taygan Graham were the only players to record hits for USAO, as Williams went 2-3 with a run batted in, while Graham went 2-2 with a walk.

Sophie Williams was once again tremendous in the circle and delivered her 10th shutout of the season. Additionally, Williams has not surrendered a run in her last 46.0 innings pitched. During the scoreless streak, she has struck out 94 batters. 

On Friday, she improved her record to 24-4 as she struck out 14 batters while allowing only one hit in 7.0 innings of work. This season, Williams owns a 0.79 earned run average and she has struck out 246 batters in 158.2 innings pitched. 

Since coming to USAO as a freshman in 2022, Williams has produced a 66-17 win-loss record, along with a 1.24 ERA and 684 strikeouts in 523.1 innings of work. She has accumulated two NAIA All-American selections, two All-SAC selections, the 2023 SAC Pitcher of the Year award, 11 SAC Pitcher of the Week awards, and three NAIA Pitcher of the Week awards. Should Williams be fortunate enough to claim the SAC Pitcher of the Year award next month, it would be the seventh year in a row that a Drover has claimed the recognition. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to the diamond on Saturday, May 4 as they face the winner of Saturday's first elimination game. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. 

For more information about the SAC Tournament, CLICK HERE!

Stay up to date on all Drover Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

Twitter/X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers