#9 USAO Splits Day One of Branson Showtime Classic

BRANSON, Mo. – Friday afternoon, the No. 9 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-4, 1-1 SAC) opened play at day one of the Branson Showtime Classic. USAO opened the weekend with a 2-1 extra-inning loss against No. 25 ranked Evangel University (Mo.), followed by a 6-2 triumph in game two against Graceland University (Iowa).

GAME 1 vs EVANGEL UNIVERSITY (10-3, 0-0 KCAC)

The pitcher's-dual featured seven scoreless innings, prior to USAO scoring the first run of the game in the top of the eighth inning. However, the Valor launched a two-run, walk-off home run to snatch the win.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced only two hits and reached on zero walks, while the Valor tallied four hits and drew seven walks. Evangel committed a pair of fielding errors, while USAO was unblemished on defense.   

Lakelynn Thompson got the start in the circle for USAO and pitched all 7.1 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and she struck out 10 batters.

Savannah Senkel and Jaylee Willis each singled in the loss.

GAME 2 vs GRACELAND UNIVERSITY (3-10, 0-0 HAAC)

After holding the Yellowjackets scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers took a 1-0 lead as Leighanne Eaton hit a sacrifice-fly to center field. Graceland then pulled the score even at 1-1 in the top of the fourth.

USAO captured the lead once more in the bottom of the fifth as they brought in five runs, highlighted by Leighanne Eaton's three-run homer, as well as Savannah Senkel's RBI-double and Kinzie Williams' RBI-triple.

Graceland scored once in the top of the sixth to trim their deficit to 6-2, but that is as close as it would get.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and reached on zero walks, while the Yellowjackets tallied five hits and drew three walks. USAO committed one fielding error, while Graceland fumbled the ball twice on defense.  

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and she struck out 10 batters. Aubree Ferguson pitched the final 1.2 innings, surrendering no runs on zero hits, and struck out two batters.

Kinzie Williams led the Drover offense with a 2-3 performance that included a double, a triple, two runs scored, and a run batted in.

Leighanne Eaton concluded 1-3 with her fourth home run of the season, along with four more runs batted in. Eaton currently ranks fourth in the NAIA in runs batted in (24), and third in homers (4).

Savannah Senkel finished 1-3 with a double and a run batted in, while Jaylee Willis went 1-2 with a double and a run scored. Kamryn James and Jadyn Goucher each singled in the win.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action tomorrow (Feb. 28) for day two of the Branson Showtime Classic. USAO will face Culver-Stockton (Mo.) at 1:00 PM CT, followed by Saint Mary (Kan.) in the final game of the weekend.

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