Drovers Split Twin Bill at College of the Ozarks

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (21-12, 11-6 SAC) split a double-header at College of the Ozarks (14-17, 7-10 SAC). The Drovers began the day with a dominant 16-1 victory, followed by a disappointing 4-3 loss in the second game. With the split, USAO is now to 8-2 against CofO all-time, dating to the 2021 season.

GAME 1

The Drovers got off to a bit of a slow start but cruised to an impressive16-1 win by bringing across 15 runs over the final four innings.

After a scoreless first inning, the Drovers claimed an early lead with one run in the top of the second inning. The Bobcats managed to tie the score at 1-1 with a run in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Drovers immediately responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, highlighted by a two-run homer run from Peyton McDowall. USAO added more insurance in the top of the fifth as Gunnar Hansen launched a three-run homer to extend the lead to 6-1. The bats stayed hot for the Drovers in the top of the sixth, bringing across two more runs, highlighted by a RBI-double from Devin Alvarez. USAO's offense then exploded for eight more runs in the seventh, stretching the lead to 16-1, prior to holding the Bobcats scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to wrap up the series opener. 

As a team, the Drovers produced 16 hits and reached the bases on four walks, while the Bobcats tallied only two hits and drew one free pass. Defensively, USAO was unblemished, while Ozarks committed three fielding errors.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for the Drovers and was brilliant, delivering his second complete game of the season. Ereu improved his record to 6-1 as he went all 7.0 innings, allowing only one run on two hits, and he struck out a career high of 14 batters. 

The Drover offense was led by a perfect day at the plate from Gunnar Hansen, concluding 4-4 with his fifth home run of the season, along with three runs batted in. Peyton McDowall and Devin Alvarez had identical stat lines at the plate, going 2-4 with a double, a homer, two runs, and four runs batted in. McDowall's longball was his eighth of the year, while Alvarez left the yard for the fourth time.

Ricky Requejo went 2-4 with a pair of runs scored and a run batted in. Duncan Key doubled and drove in a pair of runs in his only at bat of the game. Christopher Martinez finished 1-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored, while Jaden Wiley went 1-3 with a run batted in. Ian Ortiz singled and scored twice, while Nolan Herchock singled and scored once. Corey Morro singled and walked twice in the opener. 

GAME 2

Despite claiming an early lead in game two, the Drovers were dealt a tough 4-3 loss.

Game two began with a pair of scoreless innings, prior to the Drovers claiming a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning, highlighted by an RBI-double from Christopher Martinez. However, the Bobcats would claim their first lead of the day with one run in the bottom of the third, followed by two more in the fourth. 

College of the Ozarks held a 3-2 advantage until the top of the sixth as Gage Ninness drove in Peyton McDowall with an RBI-double to pull the score even. 

The Bobcats would quickly reclaim a 4-3 lead with a solo-homer in the bottom half of the sixth, prior to shutting down the Drovers in the top of the seventh to end the game. 

As a team, the Drovers produced seven hits and reached the bases on two walks, while the Bobcats tallied six hits and drew one free pass. Defensively, USAO was unblemished, while Ozarks committed three fielding errors.

Tyson Noel got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched the opening 4.0 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits and he struck out six batters. Ryan Cullinane took over on the bump in the bottom of the fifth inning and delivered 2.0 innings of relief, allowing one runs on one hit and struck out one batters.

The Drover offense was led by a two-hit performance from Gage Ninness, concluding 2-4 with a double and a run batted in. 

Christopher Martinez and Peyton McDowall also delivered doubles in game two. Martinez drove in one run, while McDowall scored once.

Ian Ortiz and Corey Morro each singled and scored. Ricky Requejo concluded 1-3 with a single. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Bobcats will conclude the three-game series tomorrow (Saturday, March 29) at 12:00 PM CT in Point Lookout, Mo.

Stay up to date on all USAO Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers