#9 USAO Tosses Back-to-Back Shutouts to Sweep Central Christian

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 9 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (23-7, 12-2 SAC) completed the four-game sweep against Central Christian College (11-15, 4-12 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 5-0 win, followed by a 7-0 triumph in the finale. With the wins, USAO improves to 33-0 against Central Christian in head-to-head matchups since March 2018.

GAME 1

After holding the Tigers scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers claimed an early lead as they plated a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. USAO extended the lead with one run in the bottom of the second on Malea McMurtrey's RBI-single.

The Drovers scored their final two runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by Jordan Ramsay's RBI-triple.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and reached on two walks, while the Tigers tallied three hits and drew zero walks. CCC committed two fielding errors, while USAO was unblemished on defense.

Aubree Ferguson was stellar in the circle, to improve her record to 11-2 this season. Ferguson went all seven innings to earn her seventh shutout of the season, allowing just three hits and struck out five batters. In 13 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only two of those contests, and she currently ranks third in the NAIA in earned run average (0.66).

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey and Maveryck Lightfoot. McMurtrey went 2-3 with a run scored and a run batted in, while Lightfoot went 2-3 with a pair of singles.

Jordan Ramsay finished 1-3 with a triple, a run scored, and a run batted in. Maddy Baber and Kinzie Williams each singled and scored.

GAME 2

The series finale began with two scoreless innings, prior to USAO claiming the lead with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third. The Drovers scored once in the fifth, followed by their final two runs in the sixth.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 10 hits and reached on two walks, while the Tigers tallied three hits and drew two walks. Central Christian committed one fielding error, while USAO was perfect defensively.

Keylee Beckwith improved her record to 4-1 as she pitched a sensational complete-game shutout. Beckwith allowed only three hits and struck out 12 batters.

USAO's offense was led by a pair of three-hit performances from Kinzie Williams and Malea McMurtrey. Williams finished 3-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while McMurtrey went 3-4 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Leighanne Eaton drove in three runs as she went 1-4 with a double. Jaylee Willis went 1-2 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Lilyana Portillo and Maveryck Lightfoot each singled in the win.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now hit the road for a double header at Southwestern Christian University on Tuesday, March 24. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM CT in Bethany, Okla.

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