Drovers Sweep the Tigers to Claim SAC Regular Season Crown

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Friday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (43-7, 33-3 SAC) secured its third Sooner Athletic Conference regular season crown with a double-header sweep at Central Christian College (8-38, 4-32 SAC). The Drovers began the day with a 9-0 victory in game won, followed by an 8-0 win in the regular season finale. 

On Friday, 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 series sweep, the Drovers improve to 29-0 against the Tigers all-time, dating to 2016.

During USAO's current 12-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 105-19. Through 50 games this season, USAO has tallied 10 or more hits on 25 different occasions, and they have earned 18 wins via the run-rule. The pitching staff has also been terrific, producing a 1.93 earned run average with 265 strikeouts in 312.0 innings. Furthermore, USAO has held opponents to a .214 batting average, while the Drovers offense owns a .361 average at the dish. 

In addition to USAO's three SAC regular season titles (2004, 2019, 2025), they have also been crowned as the SAC Tournament champ on four occasions (2015, 2021, 2023, 2024). 

GAME 1

The Drovers jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 9-0 shutout victory in the championship clinching victory.

The Drovers wasted no time to take the lead, pushing across a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Following a scoreless second inning, the Drovers added to their lead with two runs in the top of the third and two more in the fourth.

USAO controlled a 6-0 advantage until the top of the fifth when they scored their final three runs, prior to holding the Tigers scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, ending the game early due to the run-rule. 

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

The Drover offense was led by a trio of two-hit performances at the top of the batting order. Sierra Selfridge concluded 2-2 with two doubles, two walks, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Kinzie Williams finished 2-4 with a double, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Malea McMurtrey went 2-2 with two walks and two runs scored. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and improved her record to 22-4 as she pitched all 5.0 innings, allowing zero runs on two hits and she struck out nine batters. 

In her stellar career, Williams owns a 93-23 record, along with a 1.32 earned run average and 896 strikeouts in 728.2 innings of work. She owns 38 shutouts, five no-hitters, and seven perfect games since the start of 2022.

GAME 2 

The Drovers used a big first inning to cruise to an 8-0 win in the final game of the regular season. 

The Drovers once again jumped out to an early lead, pushing across five runs in the top of the first inning. USAO maintained a 5-0 advantage until the top of the sixth when they added one more insurance run. The Drovers scored their final two runs in the top of the seventh, highlighted by Shaylann Grace's eighth home run of the season. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 13 hits and drew three walks, while the Tigers were held to three hits, and five free passes. USAO was perfect on defense, while CCC committed a pair of fielding errors. 

Abi Gregory got the start in the circle and improved her record to 5-0 as she delivered a 7.0 inning shutout. Gregory surrendered only three hits, and she struck out two batters. In her career, Gregory owns a 24-4 record with a 3.09 earned run average and she has fanned 164 batters in 160.2 innings of work. 

The Drover offense was led by five multi-hit performances, including Shaylann Grace going 3-4 with a homer and two runs batted in. Jadyn Goucher concluded 2-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while Leighanne Eaton went 2-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Malea McMurtrey finished 2-3 with a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Sierra Selfridge added a pair of singled and scored once. 

Triniti Cotanny singled and drove in a run, while Taylor Cronic singled and scored a run. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Beginning next weekend (May 1-3), the Drovers will begin their run at a three-peat in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament. USAO and OCU will once again host the top eight teams from the SAC regular season, with the winner of each bracket meeting in Chickasha for the championship game on Saturday, May 3. For more information about the SAC Tournament CLICK HERE.

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