#3 USAO and #5 OCU Split Double Header for Second Day in a Row

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (20-6, 10-2 SAC) split a double header for the second day in a row at No. 5 ranked Oklahoma City University (22-6, 10-4 SAC). The Stars opened the day with a 5-4 win in the third game of the series, followed by a dominant 12-7 win for USAO in the series finale. 

On Friday, USAO opened the series with a thrilling 10-4 victory in extra innings, followed by a 7-2 loss in the second game. 

The Drovers are now 22-48 against the Stars since 2008. Since 2018, USAO has had much better luck against the Stars, having won 18 of the last 37 meetings. Furthermore, the Drovers and the Stars have met in each of the last six SAC Tournament championship games, with each team having claimed the crown three times in that span.

So far this season, the Drovers own a 7-6 record against opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. USAO now owns wins against No. 4 Northwestern, No. 5 Oklahoma City (x2), No. 7 Cumberlands, No. 9 OLLU, No. 12 Hope International, and No. 17 Missouri Baptist. 

GAME 1

The first game of the day was closely contested throughout, but the Stars scored a late run to claim a 5-4 win in game three of the series. 

The Drovers captured an early lead, pushing across three runs in the top of the first inning, but the Stars immediately responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the first. OCU then claimed 4-3 advantage with a solo-homer in the bottom of the third inning.

The Stars maintained a slim lead until the top of the fifth when Sierra Selfridge launched her fourth home run in as many games, tying the score at 4-4. OCU rallied for the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning, prior to holding USAO scoreless in the top of the seventh. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and reached one walk, while the Stars strung together 10 hits and walked twice. Both defenses were unblemished in the first game of the day. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and went all 6.0 innings, surrendering five runs on 10 hits and she struck out five batters.

USAO's offense was led by a two-hit performance from Kinzie Williams. Williams concluded 2-4 with a run scored. Sophie Williams drove in a pair of runs as she went 1-3 at the plate. 

Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-4 as she launched her ninth home run of the season. Leighanne Eaton finished 1-2 with a run scored and a run batted in. Malea McMurtrey went 1-4 with a run scored, while Taylor Cronic went 1-3.

GAME 2 

After trailing early in the series finale, the USAO offense caught fire and scored a dozen runs to claim the 12-7 win, salvaging the split.

The Stars pushed across a pair of run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Drovers immediately tied the score at 2-2 with a pair of runs of their own in the top of the second inning. USAO then claimed a 5-2 advantage with a trio of runs in the top of the fourth inning. 

OCU cut their deficit to 5-3 with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, prior to USAO rallying for seven runs in the top of the sixth.

Trailing 12-3 going into the bottom of the sixth, the Stars made things interesting with four runs to trim their deficit to 12-7. Neither team was able to score any more runs in the seventh inning.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 16 hits and reached on five walks, while the Stars tallied 10 hits and drew five walks. Both teams were perfect on defense.   

Abi Gregory got the start in the circle for USAO and pitched 5.0 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and she struck out one batter. Gabby Toquothty pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing one run on two hits.

The Drover offense was highlighted by a trio of four-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey, Jadyn Goucher, and Taylor Cronic. McMurtrey went 4-4 with a walk, a run scored, two stolen bases, and two runs batted in. Goucher concluded 4-4 with a double, a walk, three runs scored, a run batted in, and two stolen bases. Cronic finished 4-5 with a double, two runs scored, two runs batted in, and four stolen bases.

Shaylann Grace went 1-2 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Taygan Graham singled and drove in a run, while Kinzie Williams singled and stole a base. Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-4 with a single and a walk. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to Oklahoma City on March 28-29 as they play a four-game series at rival Mid-America Christian University. Friday's double header is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM CT, followed by a 1:00 PM CT first pitch for Saturday's twin bill.

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