USAO Takes Down CMU in World Series Opener to Extend Win Streak to 29

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Thursday night, the No. 6 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (48-7, 31-5 SAC) began the 2024 NAIA Softball World Series in stellar fashion with an 8-3 victory against No. 3 Central Methodist University (52-6, 24-0 HAAC).

The dominant performance extended USAO's win streak to 29, which is the longest such streak in the NAIA currently. During the win-streak, USAO is 8-0 against teams that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

 After Thursday's game began with a scoreless first inning, CMU claimed the first lead of the game with one run in the bottom of the second inning. 

However, USAO would respond with eight unanswered runs to jump out to a comfortable lead. The Drover offense exploded for four runs in the top of the third inning, highlighted by Jadyn Goucher's 11^th home run of the year. USAO added two more runs on a wild pitch in the fourth, followed by one run in the fifth and one in the seventh. 

The Eagles scored twice in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little, too late for the No. 3 seed. 

As a team, USAO reached the bases on 12 hits and three walks. Meanwhile the Eagles tallied only six hits and drew four walks. USAO was perfect on defense, while CMU committed three fielding errors. 

The Drover offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances from Macenzie Ruth, Sophie Williams, and Kenzie Williams. Ruth concluded 3-4 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Sophie Williams went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored, while Kenzie Williams went 2-4 with a run scored.  

Jadyn Goucher finished 1-4 with a two-run homer, and Taygan Graham went 1-4 with two runs batted in. Leighanne Eaton finished 1-4 with a double, and Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-3 with a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Kamryn James went 1-2 with a walk. 

Sophie Williams improved her record to 28-4 as she delivered 7.0 solid innings of work. She surrendered six hits, three runs, and struck out three batters. 

This season, Williams owns a 0.91 earned run average and she has struck out 269 batters in 184.2 innings pitched. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action in Columbus, Ga. for the winner's bracket game on Saturday, May 25 at 6:00 PM CT against the winner between No. 2 Oklahoma City and No. 10 Southern Oregon. 

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