#1 USAO Shuts Out WBU and OPSU on Day One of SAC Tournament

CHICKASHA, Okla. – On Friday, the No. 1 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (45-7, 33-3 SAC) opened the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a pair of wins against No. 8 Wayland Baptist University and No. 5 Oklahoma Panhandle State University. The Drovers began the day with a commanding 8-0 run-rule victory against the Pioneers, followed by a thrilling 1-0 triumph against the Aggies.

During USAO's current 14-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 114-19. Additionally, they have not surrendered a run over the last six games played. 

Through 52 games this season, USAO has tallied 10 or more hits on 26 different occasions, and they have earned 19 wins via the run-rule. The pitching staff has also been terrific, producing a 1.86 earned run average with 278 strikeouts in 324.0 innings. Furthermore, USAO has held opponents to a .210 batting average, while the Drovers offense owns a .360 average at the dish. 

GAME 1 vs #8 WBU (21-29, 14-22 SAC)

The Drovers were in control from the very start and cruised to an 8-0 run-rule win in the first game of the postseason. After holding WBU scoreless in the top of the first, USAO claimed a 1-0 lead on a solo-home run from Sierra Selfridge in the bottom half of the inning. The Drovers stretched the lead to 4-0 with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third, followed by the team's final four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, enforcing the run-rule and ending the game early.

With the win, the Drovers improve to 9-0 against the Pioneers all-time, dating to February 2024. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 12 hits and drew one walk, while the Pioneers were held to only one hit, and zero passes. Both teams were perfect defensively and did not commit a fielding error.  

The Drover offense was led by four multi-hit performances, including Selfridge going 2-3 with her 15^th homer of the season, in addition to two runs batted in. She currently ranks second in the NAIA with 77 RBIs this season, as well as seventh in home runs (15).

Malea McMurtrey concluded 2-3 with two stolen bases, two runs scored, and one run batted in. Sophie Williams and Jadyn Goucher each finished 2-3 with a pair of singles. Goucher also scored once and stole two bases. 

Leighanne Eaton went 1-3 with a double and a run batted in, while Shaylann Grace went 1-3 with a single and a run batted in. Taylor Cronic closed the game 1-2 with a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Kinzie Williams finished 1-3 with a run scored. 

Sophie Williams was nearly perfect as she tossed her 11^th shutout of the season, going all 5.0 innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out five batters.

GAME 2 vs #5 OPSU (26-26, 17-19 SAC)

The second game of the day was much more tightly contested than the first game of the tournament, but the Drovers were able to edge the Aggies and hold on for the 1-0 win. USAO improves to 35-2 against OPSU all-time, dating to March 2017. 

The game began with three scoreless innings prior to the Drovers driving in the game's only run on a sacrifice-fly from Shaylann Grace. USAO used stellar pitching and defense to cling to victory in the final innings. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced only three hits and drew two walks, while the Aggies were held to four hits, and zero free passes. USAO was perfect on defense, while OPSU committed a pair of fielding errors. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and improved her record to 24-4 as she pitched all 7.0 innings, allowing zero runs on two hits and she struck out eight batters. Williams has not surrendered an earned run in her last 29.1 innings of work.

In her stellar career, Williams owns a 95-23 record, along with a 1.30 earned run average and 909 strikeouts in 740.2 innings of work. She owns 40 shutouts, five no-hitters, and seven perfect games since the start of 2022.

Malea McMurtrey, Leighanne Eaton, and Taylor Cronic each singled in the win. Shaylann Grace drove in a run and Jordan Ramsay scored once.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Saturday (May 3) for the SAC Tournament semi-final against the winner between No. 5 OPSU and No. 8 WBU. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. With a win, the Drovers would advance to their seventh consecutive appearance in the SAC Tournament championship game. Since 2018, USAO has won the tournament three times, and Oklahoma City has won it three times. 

For more information about the SAC Tournament CLICK HERE.

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