Drovers Rally at OCU as Cullinane Delivers Sensational Relief Performance

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Thursday night, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (17-8, 8-2 SAC) claimed an exhilarating 8-7 comeback victory in the series opener at Oklahoma City University (9-13, 4-6 SAC). After trailing 7-2 in the third inning, USAO rallied for six unanswered runs, include three runs in the exciting ninth inning.

USAO got off to a hot start, scoring two runs on a RBI-single from Ben Bach in the top of the first inning. However, OCU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 2-2 going into the second. 

The Stars claimed a 6-2 lead with a four-run rally in the bottom of the second. OCU extended their lead with one more run in the bottom of the third.  

The Drovers trimmed their deficit to 7-3 on Christopher Martinez's RBI-single in the top of the fifth. The momentum continued for USAO in the sixth as they brought in one more run after Ian Ortiz led off the inning with a double and was scored on a sacrifice-fly from Jaden Wiley, followed by one more run in the top of the seventh. 

The Stars remained in a 7-5 lead until, the top of the ninth when the Drovers rallied for three runs to claim an 8-7 lead. In the ninth, the pesky Drovers were down to their final strike on four occasions, yet still managed to ignite a big rally. Ryan Cullinane concluded his remarkable performance with a scoreless bottom of the ninth to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat.

Both offenses tallied 10 hits in the series opener, and USAO drew three walks, while OCU induced only one free pass. The Stars defense committed three fielding errors, while the Drovers only fumbled the ball once in the field. 

The USAO offense was led by a trio of two-hit performances from Christopher Martinez, Ben Bach, and Ian Ortiz. Martinez concluded 2-5 with a double and two runs batted in. Bach drove in three runs and scored once as he went 2-5 at the dish. Ortiz finished 2-4 with a double and two runs scored. 

Peyton McDowall singled once, walked once, and scored twice, while Gage Ninness and Corey Morro each singled and scored once. Ricky Requejo went 1-2 in the win. 

Jared Adams got the start for USAO on the mound and pitched the opening 2.0 innings, allowing five earned runs on five hits and he struck out two batters. Ryan Cullinane took over for Adams in the third inning and delivered 7.0 sensational innings of relief out of the bullpen, allowing only one run on five hits and he struck out eight batters.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Stars will conclude the three-game series with Saturday's (March 15) double-header is scheduled for a 1:00 PM CT first pitch at Jim Wade Stadium in OKC.

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