USAO Takes Two From #7 Bellevue

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Sunday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (7-4, 0-0 SAC) wrapped up the series victory with an impressive double-header sweep against No. 7 ranked Bellevue University (4-6, 0-0 NSAA). USAO opened the day with a hard-fought 7-5 win, followed by an exciting 15-10 triumph in the finale. With the wins, USAO improves to 12-5 against Bellevue since 2017.

-GAME1-

After surrendering a run in the top of the first inning, the Drovers responded with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Bruins quickly cut their deficit to one with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, but the Drovers managed to add insurance with Ben Lawson's two-RBI triple to take a 6-3 lead in the bottom of the third. 

In the top of the sixth, Bellevue once again cut the deficit to one with a pair of runs. Gage Ninness gave the Drovers a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI-double to left field. Alden Norquist closed the door on the Bruins in the top of the seventh, bringing the series even after two games. 

Both offenses saw the ball well at the plate, with Bellevue producing 10 hits and USAO compiled nine. The Drovers committed three fielding errors, while the Bruins fumbled the ball twice. 

USAO's offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances from Ben Bach, Ben Lawson, and Devin Alvarez. Bach finished 2-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Lawson went 2-3 with a triple, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Alvarez went 2-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. 

Gage Ninness went 1-4 with a double and a run batted in. Gabriel Arroyo and Ian Ortiz each singled in the win.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for USAO and improved his record to 3-0 as he delivered 4.2 innings of work. Ereu surrendered three runs and five hits, while striking out four batters. Tristan Perry pitched for 0.1 innings prior to being relieved by Cale Hutchens for 0.2 innings. Hagen Earls recorded the last out of the sixth inning, prior to handing the ball to Alden Norquist for the final inning. Norquist earned his first save of the season as he pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

-GAME2-

The series finale was a wild one to say the least…featuring a total of 25 runs, 32 hits, six homeruns, 10 walks, and 11 fielding errors. 

Bellevue immediately took the lead with a leadoff homer in the top of the first inning, but USAO quickly evened the score with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. 

The Bruins reclaimed the 3-1 lead with a homerun in the top of the second, but the Drovers once again wasted no time to tie the score, bring across a pair of runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by Ben Lawson's first homerun of the season.

BU took a 4-3 lead in the top of the third inning, but USAO pulled the score even once more, with a RBI-single from Ian Ortiz. 

The Drovers took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs coming across on Gavin Machado's two-RBI single to center. 

In the top of the fifth inning, the Bruins claimed an 8-6 lead with a pair of homeruns.

The Drover offense caught fire in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring nine runs to take a 15-8 lead. The Bruins managed to score once in the seventh and once in the ninth, but it was nowhere near enough to extend the game any further, giving USAO the series victory.

At the conclusion of the contest, the Drovers had produced 17 hits, including five that went for extra bases. Furthermore, USAO reached the bases on NINE fielding errors by Bellevue. In contrast, the Bruins reached the bases on 15 hits and two fielding errors committed by the Drovers. 

Sam Replogle got the start on the mound for USAO and pitched the opening 1.1 innings, prior to being relieved by Jared Adams for the next 2.2 innings. Jakob Brandenberger recorded one out in the fifth inning, prior to being relieved by JD Prather for the next inning. Rob Schmidt earned his first win of the season, delivering 1.2 innings of work. Schmidt allowed one run and he struck out a batter. Tristan Perry pitched a scoreless eighth inning, and Hagen Earls closed the door on the Bruins in the ninth. 

The Drover offense was highlighted by five multi-hit performances in the win. Gage Ninness, Gabriel Arroyo, and Gavin Machado each recorded a trio of hits. Ninness went 3-5 with a walk, three runs scored, and a run batted in. Arroyo concluded 3-5 with a run scored, while Machado went 3-5 with a run scored and two runs batted in. 

Ben Lawson blasted his first homerun of the season as he concluded 2-5 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Ben Bach contributed a 2-3 performance that included a double, two walks, two runs scored, and a run batted in. 

Peyton McDowall blasted his second homer of the season, scored twice, and drove in a pair of runs. Christopher Martinez singled walked, scored twice, and a RBI. Ian Ortiz singled, scored, and drove in two runs. Devin Alvarez blasted a triple, scored once, and drove in a pair of runs. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now hit the road for a four-game series at Kansas Christian College on February 23-24. First-pitch of Friday's double-header is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy in Kansas City, Mo. Saturday's double-header is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM CT.

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