Science & Arts Produces 30 Runs in Sweep Against #17 Texas Wesleyan

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday and Saturday, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (17-12, 5-4 SAC) completed a very impressive three-game sweep against No. 17 ranked Texas Wesleyan University (23-10, 5-4 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a convincing 14-7 victory in the opener on Friday. Game two got started on Friday and USAO held a 4-0 lead before the game was suspended in the top of the fourth inning due to lightning. The game was resumed on Saturday at noon and Science & Arts went on to wrap up the victory with a 4-2 performance. The Drovers finished off the three-game sweep with a thrilling 12-11 triumph in the series finale.

With the sweep, the Drovers are now 18-13 against the Rams all-time, a series that dates back to April 22, 2008. Additionally, USAO has now won 11 of the last 14 matchups between the conference foes.

-GAME 1-

Texas Wesleyan was able to take an early lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but the Drovers immediately responded with a pair of runs of their own in the home half of the first inning.

The score remained tied 2-2 until the bottom of the third inning when Science & Arts struck for SEVEN runs, highlighted by Gage Gaunt's two-run homerun. 

The Rams quickly retaliated with three run in the top of the fourth, but USAO was able to once again extend the lead with a five-run outburst in the bottom of the sixth.

Texas Wesleyan rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the seventh, but it was too little, too late for the Rams. 

Josh Harrel picked up the win on the mound, as he delivered 4.1 innings of work. Harrel surrendered four earned runs on seven hits, and he struck out a pair of batters to improve to 5-2 this season. 

Boone Lasater tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief and Alden Norquist recorded the final three outs in the seventh.

As a team, the Drovers compiled 15 hits, coming from eight different players. Six different Drovers produced multiple hits in the win. 

Nick Fleckenstein produced five runs batted in as he went 2-5, along with a pair of runs. Gage Gaunt concluded 2-4 with a homerun and three RBIs, while Gabriel Arroyo went 2-4 with a pair of runs and a run batted in. Christopher Martinez finished 3-5 with a run scored and a run batted in. Peyton McDowall closed the game 2-3 with a run and a RBI, followed by Ben Lawson who went 2-3 with a pair of runs scored and a pair of runs batted in.

Will Hoch contributed a 1-3 performance which included a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Anthony Hrynkiw finished 1-4 in addition to calling the game behind the plate.

-GAME 2-

The Drovers managed to capture an early lead with one run in the bottom of the first inning, and they extended their lead to 4-0 with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third inning.

The game was suspended prior to the start of the fourth inning due to lightning and was resumed on Saturday at noon.

When the game resumed on Saturday, the Drovers used pitching and defense to wrap up the series-clinching victory.

Reed Butz got the start for the Drovers on the mound on Friday and he was superb, delivering 3.0 scoreless innings until the game was suspended. On Saturday, Butz showed a lot of toughness and determination by picking up where he left off and was strong for 2.2 innings. In total, Butz improved his record to 5-3 as he went 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits, and he struck out a trio of batters.

Boone Lasater relieved Butz in the sixth inning and did not allow a baserunner. Drew Shaver came in for the seventh inning and earned his first save of the season as he closed out the win with a perfect inning.

As a team, the Drovers produced six hits, from six different players. Peyton McDowall concluded 1-3 with a homerun and two runs batter in. Christopher Martinez finished the game 1-2 with a double and two RBIs. Gabriel Arroyo went 1-2 with a pair of runs scored, while Nick Fleckenstein went 1-3 with a run scored. Gavin Machado and Ben Lawson each went 1-3. 

-GAME 3-

The series finale was a high scoring marathon, featuring a total of 23 runs, 33 hits, and 12 pitchers were used.

Neither team was able to score in the first inning, but the Drovers captured the first lead of the game with a run in the bottom of the second. The Rams quickly answered with a run of their own in the top of the third inning to even the score at 1-1.

Science & Arts struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the third, but Texas Wesleyan once again tied the game with two runs in the top of the fourth inning.

With the score tied at 3-3, the Drovers offense rallied for FIVE runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, highlighted by Gage Gaunt's three-run homer. 

USAO held an 8-3 lead until the top of the sixth when the Rams brought across three runs to trim the deficit to only one. Texas Wesleyan then went on to take a 9-8 lead as they scored two more tuns in the top of the seventh inning.

However, the lead was short lived for the Rams, as the Drovers produced a trio of runs in the bottom of the seventh. USAO added an extremely important insurance run in the eighth inning, prior to holding Texas Wesleyan to only two runs in the top of the ninth, finishing up the series sweep for the Drovers.

Drew Shaver got the start on the mound and struck out five batters in the first three innings of the game. Nolan Gagnon and Claudio Rodriguez combined to pitch a pair of scoreless innings in relief of Shaver. 

Megumi Fukuda and JD Prather pitched in the sixth inning, before Kaden Alexander entered the game and earned the win with 2.1 strong innings. Alden Norquist recorded his fourth save of the season as he recorded the final two outs in the ninth.

The Drover offense compiled 16 hits in the win, and Peyton McDowall led the way with a 4-5 performance, which included a homerun and three runs batted in. Christopher Martinez was perfect at the plate, going 2-2 with three walks, a double, two runs scored, and two RBIs.

Nick Fleckenstein concluded 2-5 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Ryan Duncan went 2-3 with a run scored and Anthony Hrynkiw went 2-5 with a pair of singles.  

Ben Lawson finished 1-2 with two walks and three runs scored, and Gabriel Arroyo went 1-3 with a run scored. Gage Gaunt concluded 1-5 with a three-run homer. Gavin Machado produced a clutch pinch-hit, RBI-triple in the eighth inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action at home on Tuesday, March 28 as they host Southwestern Oklahoma State University (NCAA DII). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark.

Stay up to date on all Science & Arts Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

Twitter: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers