Drovers Inch Closer to Third SAC Regular Season Championship

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Friday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (41-7, 31-3 SAC) extended their win streak to 10 with a pair of victories at Central Christian College (8-36, 4-30 SAC). Furthermore, USAO clinched at least a share of the Sooner Athletic Conference for the third time in program history. They can clinch the outright title with one more win on Saturday (April 26).

The series at Central Christian began with the Tigers forfeiting game one, followed by a dominant 13-0 run-rule triumph in game two. With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 27-0 against the Tigers all-time, dating to 2016.

The Drovers currently sit atop the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 2.0 games ahead of No. 6 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. 

Through 48 games this season, USAO has tallied 10 or more hits on 24 different occasions, and they have earned 17 wins via the run-rule. The pitching staff has also been terrific, producing a 2.01 earned run average with 254 strikeouts in 300.0 innings. Furthermore, USAO has held opponents to a .215 batting average, while the Drovers offense owns a .362 average at the dish. 

GAME 1

THE TIGERS FORFEITED GAME ONE.

GAME 2 

The Drovers were in full command of game two, cruising to a 13-0 triumph. 

After a scoreless first inning, the Drovers offense rallied for seven runs, followed by one more in the third. USAO scored three times in the fourth and twice in the fifth.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 17 hits and drew four walks, while the Tigers were held to two hits, and three free passes. USAO was perfect on defense, while CCC committed one fielding error. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and improved her record to 21-4 as she pitched all 5.0 innings, allowing zero runs on two hits and she struck out seven batters. 

In her stellar career, Williams owns a 92-22 record, along with a 1.33 earned run average and 887 strikeouts in 723.2 innings of work. She owns 37 shutouts, five no-hitters, and seven perfect games since the start of 2022.

The Drover offense was led by five multi-hit performances, highlighted by Jadyn Goucher and Sophie Williams each going 3-4 at the plate. Goucher also scored twice and drove in a run, while Williams scored once and drove in a run. 

Sierra Selfridge drove in a pair of runs as she went 2-4 with a run scored. Kinzie Williams concluded 2-2 with a walk, a run scored, and a pair of runs batted in. Shaylann Grace finished 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. 

Taylor Cronic drove in a pair of runs as she went 1-2 with a walk and a run scored. Leighanne Eaton went 1-3 with a pair of runs scored and a run batted in. Malea McMurtrey and Taygan Graham each singled, scored, and drove in a run. Maveryck Lightfoot went 1-3 with a run batted in. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Tomorrow (April 26), the Drovers and Tigers will conclude the four-game series with another double-header. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT in McPherson, Kan. 

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