#3 USAO Sweeps Double Header to Claim Series at Texas Wesleyan

FORT WORTH, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (33-7, 23-3 SAC) claimed the series with a double-header sweep on the road at Texas Wesleyan University (18-14, 16-8 SAC). USAO run-ruled Texas Wesleyan 11-2 in game three, followed by a 4-3 extra-inning triumph in the series finale. 

On Friday, the Drovers began the series with a 5-0 victory as Sophie Williams dealt her fifth career no-hitter, followed by a 5-3 loss in game two. 

With the series win, the Drovers move to 36-10 against the Rams all-time, including a 23-3 record in their last 26 meetings.

The Drovers currently sit atop the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 2.0 games ahead of No. 5 ranked Oklahoma City University. The top eight teams in the SAC standings advance to the conference tournament, which will take place at USAO and OCU from May 1-3. 

GAME 1

The Drovers led from start to finish in the third game of the series, highlighted by a seven-run fifth inning to claim the 11-2 win.

USAO got off to a hot start and pushed across one run in the top of the first inning when Malea McMurtrey scored on a wild pitch. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth when the Drovers rallied for three more runs. The Rams trimmed their deficit to 4-2 with a home run in the bottom half of the fourth.

The Drovers added more insurance in the top of the fifth, rallying for seven runs and took a commanding 11-2 lead. Sophie Williams and the Drover defense held the Rams scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, ending the game early due to the "mercy rule".

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and went all 5.0 innings, surrendering two runs on two hits and she struck out four batters to improve her record to 17-3 this season. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 13 hits and drew seven walks, while the Rams were held to only two hits and reached the bases on one walk. USAO committed one fielding error, while TX WES committed a pair of miscues. 

USAO's offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey, Kinzie Williams, and Sierra Selfridge. McMurtrey finished 4-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Williams concluded 3-4 with a triple, along with a pair of runs scored and runs batted in. Sierra Selfridge went 2-3 with a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in.

Taylor Cronic drove in three runs as she finished 1-4 with a double and a run scored. Jadyn Goucher went 1-1 with a double, two walks, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Leighanne Eaton and Sophie Williams each singled, walked, and scored in the win. 

GAME 2 

The series finale featured plenty of drama, but the Drovers were able to clinch the series with a 4-3 victory in extra innings.

After holding the Drovers scoreless in the top of the first, the Rams claimed an early lead with one run in the bottom half of the first. However, USAO quickly pulled the score even at 1-1 in the top of the second as Taylor Cronic drove in Jaylee Willis with a double.

Following a scoreless third inning, the Drovers scored a pair of runs to claim a 3-1 advantage. USAO took a two-run lead into the bottom of the seventh, but Texas Wesleyan managed to plate a pair of runs to send the game into extra innings.

USAO once again pulled ahead with one run in the top of the eighth inning

As a team, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and drew three walks, while the Rams tallied only three hits, but were issued eight free passes. Neither team committed any fielding errors. 

The Drover offense was paced by a trio of two-hit performances. Taygan Graham led the way, going 2-4 with a pair of runs batted in, while Leighanne Eaton went 2-4 with a double. Sierra Selfridge recorded a pair of singled and finished 2-4 at the dish. 

Taylor Cronic doubled, walked, and drove in a run. Kinzie Williams went 1-4 with a single and a run batted in, while Malea McMurtrey closed the game 1-4 with a single. 

Abi Gregory delivered 6.2 innings of work, allowing three earned runs on three hits, and she struck out two batters. Sophie Williams pitched the next 1.1 innings to earn the win, allowing no runs or hits and she struck out two batters.

In her stellar career, Williams owns an 89-22 record, along with a 1.34 earned run average and 857 strikeouts in 702 innings of work. She owns 35 shutouts, five no-hitters, and seven perfect games since the start of 2022.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return home and host Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Wednesday, April 16. First pitch of the double-header is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark.   

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

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers