USAO Claims Series Victory on the Road at OCU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (18-9, 9-3 SAC) clinched the series victory with a double-header split at Oklahoma City University (10-14, 5-7 SAC). On Thursday, USAO opened the series with an 8-7 victory, followed by a 10-4 triumph in Saturday's first game, and a tough 3-1 loss in the series finale. 

The series victory marks the first time that USAO has won a road series at OCU since 2021.

GAME 1

The Drovers led from start to finish as they won Saturday's first game 10-4. USAO got off to a hot start, scoring one run in the top of the first on Corey Morro's solo-homer. The Drovers extended the lead to 5-0 with four more runs in the top of the second.

The Drovers maintained a five-run lead until the bottom of the fourth when OCU struck for their first run. 

USAO added some late insurance, with two runs in the top of the sixth, followed by three more in the seventh. The Stars made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh, bringing across a trio of runs, but it was too little, too late for OCU.

For the second game in a row, both offenses tallied 10 hits, and USAO drew six walks, while OCU induced three free passes. The Stars defense committed three fielding errors, while the Drovers only fumbled the ball once in the field. 

Brian Ereu got the start for USAO on the mound and pitched the opening 6.0 innings, allowing only one run on six hits, and he struck out two batters to improve his record to 5-1 this season. Rob Schmidt entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and recorded the final three outs for the Drovers.

The Drover offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances from Ian Ortiz, Devin Alvarez, and Gage Ninness. Ortiz concluded 3-4 with a double, three runs scored, and a run batted in. Devin Alvarez contributed a 2-2 performance that included a pair of walks, a run scored, and four runs batted in. Ninness went 2-4 with a walk and three runs batted in.

Corey Morro finished 1-4 with a solo homer, while Gunnar Hansen went 1-4 with a single.

GAME 2

After claiming an early lead, the Stars used three unanswered runs to win the series finale 3-1.

After a scoreless first inning, the Drovers took a 1-0 advantage when Devin Alvarez reached base on a fielding error by the pitcher, scoring Ben Bach from third base. However, OCU immediately struck for the equalizer in the bottom of the second.

The score remained knotted at 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth when OCU scored on a pair of RBI-singles. USAO was unable to rally in the top of the seventh, thus snapping their six-game win streak.

USAO produced six hits and reached the bases on two walks, while OCU strung together seven hits and walked twice. The Drovers committed two fielding errors, while the Stars only made one fielding error.  

Tyson Noel got the start for USAO on the mound and pitched all 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, and he struck out eight batters.

Devin Alvarez drove in USAO's only run and six different players singled in the loss. Gage Ninness, Christopher Martinez, Ben Bach, Ian Ortiz, Gunnar Hansen, and Jaden Wiley each tallied singles. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to Bill Smith Ballpark on March 21-22 for a three-game series against archrival No. 17 ranked Mid-America Christian University. First pitch of Friday's series opener is scheduled for 7:00 PM CT, followed by a noon start time for Saturday's double-header. 

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