Drovers Come Up Short at SWOSU

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Tuesday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (26-16, 15-9 SAC) suffered a 5-3 loss on the road at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (23-17, 11-15 GAC). 

The Drovers improve to 17-31 against the Bulldogs in the all-time series dating to April 1997. USAO has found a fair amount of success against SWOSU since 2017, having won seven of the 15 meetings in that span.

The Drovers currently sit in third place in the Sooner Athletic Conference standings, 4.0 games behind Wayland Baptist University. The top eight teams in the SAC standings advance to the conference tournament. The first round will be a best of three series at the top four seeds respective home fields from April 25-26, and the final four teams remaining advance to the final site at USAO from May 2-4. 

Tuesday's contest opened with a scoreless first inning, before the Drovers claimed an early lead with a 2-RBI double from Ricky Requejo down the left field line, however the lead was short-lived as the Bulldogs responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

SWOSU maintained a 4-2 advantage until they added insurance with their final run in the bottom of the seventh. USAO pushed across one run in the top of the ninth, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit.

As a team, the Drovers produced eight hits and reached the bases on three walks, while the Bulldogs tallied seven hits and drew two free passes. Both defenses committed a fielding error.

Jared Adams got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered a scoreless first inning. Megumi Fukuda relieved Adams in the second inning and surrendered four runs in 0.1 inning. Bode Brooks dealt 1.2 scoreless innings, followed by a scoreless inning from JD Prather. Tristan Perry and Azalius Lewis each tossed scoreless frames as well. Jakob Brandenberger surrendered one run in the seventh, prior to a scoreless inning from Julian Pokorny in the eighth.

The Drover offense was led by a two-hit performance from Duncan Key, concluding 2-4 with a double. Ricky Requejo drove in a pair of runs as he went 1-3 with a double. 

Corey Morro and Jaden Wiley each singled and scored, while Gage Ninness singled and drove in a run. Christopher Martinez also singled in the loss. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

On Thursday and Friday, April 17-18, the USAO baseball team will be celebrating their alumni as well as the impactful career of LJ Powell, as part of Legends Day. On the field of play, the Drovers will be battling Texas Wesleyan University. First pitch for Thursday's (April 17) series opener is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT, followed by a 1:00 PM start time for Friday's (April 18) Senior Day double-header at Bill Smith Ballpark.

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT ALUMNI WEEKEND – CLICK HERE

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