USAO Extends Win-Streak to Five with Series Opening Victory Against SCU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (20-10, 6-4 SAC) opened the three-game series with a 7-6 victory against Southwestern Christian University (21-11, 5-5 SAC). The Drovers have dominated the all-time series against the Eagles, going 31-3 against SCU since April of 2014. Additionally, USAO is 27-2 against SCU since 2015.

 In the series opener, USAO withstood SCU's best punch and claimed the hard-fought victory. The Eagles captured an early victory with pair of runs in the top of the first inning, including a leadoff homer. 

However, the Drovers bounced back after couple of scoreless innings and claimed the lead with a four-run rally in the bottom of the third inning. 

SCU cut their deficit to 4-3 with a run in the top of the fourth inning, but the Drovers quickly responded with a pair of runs, highlighted by Peyton McDowall's 11^th home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Drovers held a 6-3 advantage until the top of the sixth inning when the Eagles added on one more run, but USAO immediately answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth. 

The Eagles trimmed the deficit to 7-6 with their final two runs in the top of the seventh inning but were held scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

Although the Drovers won the game, they were out-hit by a wide margin of 13-5. However, the Drovers managed to draw eight walks and did a good job at capitalizing with runners on base. USAO left only five runners stranded on the bases, while SCU stranded 11 baserunners. Neither defense committed a fielding error. 

Christopher Martinez produced two of USAO's five hits in the win and finished 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Martinez currently owns a 13-game hit-streak, and during that span he has gone 27-55 (.491) with four doubles, six homers, 20 runs scored, and 24 runs batted in. 

Peyton McDowall concluded 1-2 with a home run, two walks, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. The slugger has been striking tremendous amounts of fear for opposing pitching staffs, and he has drawn 20 walks in the last 12 games, 12 of which have been intentional walks. McDowall currently ranks fifth in the NAIA with a total of 31 walks this season, and he currently owns a .507 on base percentage. Additionally, McDowall has reached base safely in 17 consecutive contests.

Gage Ninness extended his hit-streak to 12 with a 1-3 performance that included a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. During the hit-streak he's batting 23-52 (.442) with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 17 runs, and 16 RBIs.

Ben Bach concluded the win 1-3 with a run batted in. 

Brian Ereu improved his perfect record to 7-0 as he delivered 5.2 strong innings of work on the mound. Ereu surrendered four runs on 11 hits, and he struck out four batters. Tristan Perry pitched for the next 1.1 innings, prior to being relieved by Ryan Cullinane for 2.0 scoreless innings. For his efforts, Cullinane earned his second save of the season, and he struck out one batter. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Eagles will conclude the three-game series with a double-header on Saturday, March 30, beginning at noon at Bill Smith Ballpark. 

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