#1 USAO Splits Day Two of NAIA Opening Round

CHICKASHA, Okla. – On Tuesday, the No. 1 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (49-8, 33-3 SAC) split a double-header on day two of the 2025 NAIA Softball Opening Round against No. 2 Grand View University and No. 3 Freed-Hardeman University. The Drovers began the day with a tough 3-1 loss against GVU but bounced back with an 8-0 run-rule victory in the elimination game against FHU.

Through 57 games this season, USAO has tallied 10 or more hits on 28 different occasions, and they have earned 20 wins via the run-rule. The pitching staff has also been terrific, producing a 1.88 earned run average with 317 strikeouts in 357.0 innings. Additionally, USAO has held opponents to a .208 batting average, while the Drovers offense owns a .357 average at the dish. 

GAME 1 vs #2 GVU (39-13, 20-4 HAAC)

The offense went cold for USAO in the winner's bracket game and suffered a 3-1 loss. The Vikings got off to a hot start with a leadoff triple and scored once in the top of the first. The Drovers pulled the score even at 1-1 in the bottom of the second as Shaylann Grace drove in Leighanne Eaton with a double to left field. The Vikings reclaimed a one-run lead in the fourth, prior to one more insurance run in the top of the seventh.

In total, the Drovers offense produced five hits and drew one walk, while the Vikings were held to four hits, and one free pass. Both teams were perfect on defense and did not commit any fielding errors. 

The USAO offense was led by a 2-3 performance at the plate from Sophie Williams. Shaylann Grace concluded 1-3 with a double and a run batted in. Leighanne Eaton and Jadyn Goucher each went 1-3 with singles.  

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and went all 7.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and she struck out eight batters.

GAME 2 vs #3 FHU (21-17, 12-6 MSC)

The Drovers led from start to finish in the elimination game against Freed-Hardeman, cruising to an 8-0 run-rule victory. USAO immediately claimed the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. The lead was extended to 5-0 with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third as Sierra Selfridge and Leighanne Eaton hit back-to-back homers. The Drovers added two more insurance runs in the fourth, followed by the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth.

In total, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and drew two walks, while the Lions were held to one hit, and four free passes. USAO was perfect on defense and FHU committed one fielding error. 

Jayden Anderson was stellar in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 12-3 with her second shutout of the season. Anderson surrendered only one hit, and she struck out six batters in 5.0 innings of work. In her career, she owns a 27-5 record with a 1.73 earned run average and she has fanned 178 batters in 205.2 innings.

The USAO offense was led by a trio of offensive performances from Leighanne Eaton, Malea McMurtrey, and Sierra Selfridge. Eaton concluded 3-3 with her seventh home run of the season, as well as a double and two runs batted in. McMurtrey finished 2-2 with a double, a walk, three stolen bases, three runs scored, and a run batted in. 

Sierra Selfridge closed the game 1-1 with her 17^th home run of the season, which tied the program's single-season record, previously set by Randa Hatter in 2018. Selfridge also walked and drove in four runs. She currently ranks second in the NAIA in runs batted in (86), and fourth in home runs (17). 

Kinzie Williams singled, stole two bases, and scored twice. Shaylann Grace and Taylor Cronic each singled in the win. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will face No. 2 seed Grand View in the championship round of the NAIA Opening Round on Wednesday, May 14. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. The Drovers will need to win twice to advance to the NAIA World Series, and the "if necessary" game is scheduled for 3:00 PM CT.

In 2021, Grand View made the trip to Chickasha for the Opening Round and defeated the Drovers 3-2. In the only other two previous meetings between GVU and USAO, the Drovers came away with the win (2008 & 2012).

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