USAO Sweeps Regular Season Finale Against Texas Wesleyan

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (29-16, 18-9 SAC) completed the three-game sweep with a pair of wins against Texas Wesleyan University (26-22, 10-16 SAC). The Drovers earned a dramatic 6-5 walk-off victory in Friday's first game, followed by a 5-2 triumph in the regular season finale.

On Thursday, USAO opened the series with an 11-4. With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 22-15 against the Rams in the all-time series dating to March 2014. 

The Drovers conclude the regular season 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. 

GAME 1

The Drovers overcame a three-run deficit for the second game in a row as they claimed a 6-5 walk-off win in game two of the series. 

Texas Wesleyan jumped out to an early lead with one run in the top of the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, the Drovers pulled the score even on Devin Alvarez's RBI-single to center field. The Rams took a 4-1 advantage in the top of the fourth inning with a three-run homer. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, USAO knotted the score at 4-4 with a trio of runs. TX WES once again pulled ahead with one run in the top of the seventh, but the Drovers answered with a two-run, walk-off single by Gunnar Hansen in the bottom of the seventh. 

As a team, the Drovers produced 15 hits and reached the bases on seven walks, while the Rams tallied eight hits and drew one free pass. Texas Wesleyan was perfect on defense, while USAO committed one error.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 4.0 innings of work, surrendering four runs on six hits and he struck out three batters. Naton Herchock claimed the win and improved his record to 3-0 as he pitched the final 3.0 scoreless innings. Herchock gave up one run on six hits and struck out four batters.

The Drover offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Ian Ortiz and Jaden Wiley. Ortiz concluded 2-4 with a pair of runs scored, and Wiley went 2-2 with a walk and run scored. 

Christopher Martinez went 1-2 with a pair of walks, while Peyton McDowall went 1-2 with one walk.

Gunnar Hansen drove in two runs and finished 1-4 at the plate. Devin Alvarez went 1-3 with a walk and a run batted in.

GAME 2

The Drovers led from start to finish as they won the series finale 5-2. 

After a scoreless first inning, the Drovers claimed an early advantage with three runs in the bottom of the second. The Rams trimmed their deficit to 3-2 with a two-run homer in the top of the fourth. USAO maintained the one-run lead until the bottom of the sixth when they were able to add a pair of insurance runs. 

As a team, the Drovers produced 13 hits and reached the bases on one walk, while the Rams tallied six hits and drew one free pass. Texas Wesleyan committed two fielding errors, while USAO only had one defensive miscue. 

Tyson Noel got the start on the mound for the Drovers and pitched 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and he struck out five batters to improve his record to 3-4 this season. Ryan Cullinane earned his second career save as he tossed the final 2.0 scoreless innings, and he struck out two batters.

The Drover offense was led by six multi-hit performances. Gage Ninness concluded 2-4 with a run scored and a pair of runs batted in. Corey Morro finished 2-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Ricky Requejo went 2-3 and scored twice. Ian Ortiz and Devin Alvarez each went 2-4 with a run batted in. Christopher Martinez closed 2-4 with a double. 

Peyton McDowall concluded 1-1 and drew a walk.  

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers now head into the postseason as the No. 3 seed and will host the first round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on April 25-26 at Bill Smith Ballpark. The best of three series will begin with a double-header on Friday, followed by the if necessary game on Saturday. 

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