Drovers Score 29 in Double-Header Sweep Against Central Christian

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday evening, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (19-13, 7-4 SAC) continued to impress with a double-header sweep against Central Christian College (4-30, 1-13 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a convincing 13-2 victory, followed by a 16-1 triumph in game two.

With the sweep, the Drovers are now 14-0 against the Tigers all-time, a series that dates back to March 16, 2018.

-GAME 1-

After holding Central Christian scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drover offense produced SEVEN runs in the bottom of the first.

Neither team scored in the second inning, but the Tigers were able to score their first run in the top of the third inning. However, Science & Arts responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to extend the lead to 9-1.

USAO scored two insurance runs in the fourth inning, followed by two more in the fifth inning to push the lead to 13-1. 

CCC managed to score once in the top of the seventh, but it was far too little, too late for the Tigers.

Josh Harrel improved his record to 6-2 with a brilliant performance on the mound. Harrel surrendered only one run on four hits, and he struck out eight batters in 6.0 innings of work.

Jacob Williams struck out one batter as he pitched the seventh inning.

As a team, Science & Arts strung together 13 hits, coming from seven different players in the blowout victory.

Gunnar Hansen led the way with an incredible performance, going 4-4 with three doubles, a run scored, and two runs batted in.

Peyton McDowall was last week's SAC Player of the Week, and he continued his impressive play with a 2-4 performance that included a double, a homerun, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Ben Lawson concluded 2-4 with a homerun and three RBIs, while Anthony Hrynkiw went 2-3 with a double and two RBIs.

Gage Gaunt finished 1-1 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Nick Fleckenstein doubled as he finished 1-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Jayce Roberts went 1-1 with a single as a pinch hitter. 

Ryan Rodriguez scored three runs and Will Hoch drove in a pair of runs.

-GAME 2-

After allowing the Tigers to score on a solo-homer in the top of the first inning, the Drovers responded with 16 unanswered runs to cruise to victory.

USAO scored three times in the first inning, before extending the lead to 12-1 with a nine-run third inning.

The Drovers scored twice in the fourth and twice in the sixth.

Drew Shaver looked phenomenal on the mound, earning his first win of the season. The Drover ace surrendered only one run on four hits, and he struck out 10 batters in 6.0 innings. 

Cayleb Hunter struck out a pair of batters as he delivered a scoreless seventh inning.

Science & Arts compiled 14 hits, coming from 10 different players.

Peyton McDowall continued to lead the offense, going 4-4 with a double, three runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Will Hoch concluded 2-2 with a walk, a run scored, and a RBI. Gage Gaunt finished 1-3 with a homerun, three runs scored, and four runs batted in.

Ben Lawson went 1-3 with a triple, two walks, and a run scored. Gunnar Hansen blasted his fourth double of the day as he went 1-2 with a pair of walks, a run scored, and two runs batted in. 

Nick Fleckenstein scored twice and drove in a pair of runs as he finished 1-4 with a walk. Ryan Rodriguez and Christopher Martinez each singled and scored twice in the win. Boone Lasater and Gunnar Wicklund each singled in appearances as pinch hitters. 

USAO Baseball Schedule by The Numbers:

• #15 in latest NAIA BO CHIP report
• #10 in latest RPI rankings
• #1 Strength of schedule in NAIA
• Only 2 of 13 opponents have sub .500 records
• Overall opponent W-L record is 243-144 (.628)
• 8 of 13 opponents have been ranked or receiving votes in Top 25 poll at some point this season
• USAO has won 7 of 10 "series" so far
  • *series of 2 games or more*

• Series victories vs #9 Bellevue, RV McPherson, RV MACU, #17 TX Wes
• 9-8 record vs Top 25 or RV
• 17 of 30 total games have been against opponents that have been ranked or receiving votes in Top 25 poll at some point this season.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Tigers will complete the three-game series on Saturday, April 1. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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