USAO Holds CCC to Only One Run and Sweeps Double-Header

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (18-10, 4-4 SAC) opened the weekend with a double-header sweep at Central Christian College (7-23, 1-10 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a commanding 9-1 triumph, followed by a 10-0 shutout victory in game two. Additionally, USAO improves to 17-0 against the Tigers all-time, a series which dates to March of 2018. 

The Drover offense has been incredibly productive over the team's last nine games, tallying 137 hits and 122 runs. Additionally, they have launched 25 home runs in that same span. Through the team's first 28 games of the season, the offense owns a .350 batting average with 269 runs scored, 323 hits, 74 doubles, 10 triples, and 36 home runs. On average, they are producing 9.61 runs per game. 

-GAME 1-

After the series opened with a scoreless first inning, USAO struck for four runs in the to pof the second, highlighted by a pair of 2-RBI doubles from Christopher Martinez and Devin Alvarez. 

The Drovers extended the lead to 5-0 in the third, scoring one run on Ben Lawson's double to left-center. 

USAO added a trio of runs in the top of the sixth, followed by their final run in the seventh. 
The Tigers scored their only run in the bottom of the seventh on a solo-homer. 

 As a team, the Drovers compiled nine hits, as well as reaching on two CCC fielding errors, and 10 walks. Meanwhile, the Tigers reached the bases on only three hits, and they drew one walk. 

Brian Ereu delivered his best start of the season on the mound, improving his record to 6-0 as he went all 7.0 innings, allowing only one run on three hits, and he struck out eight batters.

The Drover offense was led by a trio of two-hit performances from Christopher Martinez, Gunnar Hansen, and Ben Lawson. Martinez finished 2-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Hansen went 2-3 with two walks, a double, and a RBI, while Lawson concluded 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and two RBIs.

Devin Alvarez closed 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in.

Gage Ninness and Gabriel Arroyo each singled and scored. 

Peyton McDowall has gained a reputation as one of the best hitters in the country and he has begun to experience the Barry Bonds treatment, getting intentionally walked in all five of his trips to the plate in the series opener. McDowall currently ranks sixth in the NAIA in walks (26), and he has been intentionally walked nine times in the last four games. The slugger currently owns a .488 on base percentage.

-GAME 2-

The Drovers cruised to their first shutout victory of the season by scoring early and often.

Neither team scored in the first inning, but USAO claimed the first lead of the game with one run in the top of the second. The Drovers pushed the lead to 4-0 with a three-run effort in the third inning. USAO brought in the final six runs of the game in the top of the sixth inning, highlighted by RBI-doubles from Gage Ninness and Gunnar Hansen. 

As a team, the Drovers compiled 14 hits, as well as reaching on one CCC fielding errors, and two walks. Meanwhile, the Tigers reached the bases on five hits, one error, and one walk.

Ben Bach and Gunnar Hansen led the Drover offense with a pair of three-hit performances. Bach contributed a 3-4 performance that included a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while Hansen went 3-4 with a double, a run scored, and three runs batted in. 

Gabriel Arroyo concluded 2-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Ian Ortiz closed 2-4 with a pair of RBIs. 

Gage Ninness launched a double and went 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Peyton McDowall went 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored. 

Christopher Martinez and Ben Lawson each went 1-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Martinez currently owns an 11-game hit-streak and during that span he has gone 23-46 (.500) with three doubles, six home runs, 18 runs scored, and 22 runs batted in. 

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for USAO and improved his record to 3-4, as he delivered 4.0 scoreless innings. Adams surrendered only five hits, while striking out three batters. Tristan Perry recorded a pair of scoreless innings out of the bullpen and struck out two batters. Naton Herchock tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Tigers will conclude the series on Saturday, March 23 in McPherson, Kan. at 12:00 PM CT.

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