#2 USAO Stays Perfect with Another Sweep in Texas

MESQUITE, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the No. 2 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (4-0, 0-0 SAC) wrapped up the opening weekend of the season with another double-header sweep against Cottey College (Mo.) and Missouri Baptist University. USAO opened the day with a dominant 11-0 victory against Cottey, followed by a 2-0 shutout win in the second game against MBU.

• GAME 1 vs COTTEY COLLEGE (2-2, 0-0 AMC)

The Drovers cruised to victory from start to finish, starting early with three runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Leighanne Eaton and Sierra Selfridge. USAO extended the lead to 11-0 with four runs in the second inning, followed by four more in the third. 

USAO used pitching and defense to hold the Comets scoreless and ended the game after five innings, due to the "mercy rule".

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached on zero walks, while the Comets tallied only two hits and drew one walk. Cottey committed two fielding errors, while USAO was perfect on defense. 

Aubree Ferguson made her first start in the circle for USAO, and delivered 3.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit while striking out one batter. Abi Gregory pitched the final two scoreless innings in the circle. 

USAO's offense was led by multi-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey and Kinzie Williams. McMurtrey concluded 3-3 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Williams was also percfect at the dish, going 2-2 with a pair of runs and runs batted in.

Leighanne Eaton concluded 1-2 with a homer and three runs batted in, while Sierra Selfridge finished 1-2 with a homer and two runs batted in.

Maveryck Lightfoot, Jadyn Goucher, Madelyn Torrenueva, and Isabela Portillo singled in the win. 

• GAME 2 vs MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (4-1, 0-0 AMC)

After the game began with a scoreless first inning, the Drovers captured the first lead on Sierra Selfridge's solo-homer in the top of the second inning. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth when Sophie Williams drove in Taylor Cronic. Williams and the USAO defense held the Spartans scoreless for the remainder of the contest to conclude the perfect opening weekend for the Drovers.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and reached on one walk, while the Spartans tallied only one hit and drew one walk. Both teams were committed one error on defense.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 2-0 so far this season as she delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing only one hit and she struck out five batters.

The Drover offense was led by Sierra Selfridge's perfcet game at the plate, going 2-2 with her second homer of the season. Jordan Ramsay also recorded a pair of hits and concluded 2-3 with a pair of singles. 

Sophie Williams and Madelyn Torrenueva each doubled once, while Malea McMurtrey and Leighanne Eaton each singled.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers return to action on Thursday, February 20 as they host their home opener against No. 5 ranked Oregon Institute of Technology. First pitch of the double-header is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark 

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