#3 USAO Defeats the Top Two Seeds to Remain Unbeaten in the Postseason

CHICKASHA, Okla. – On Saturday, the No. 3 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (31-17, 18-9 SAC) moved within one win of their fifth Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament championship with a pair of wins against the top two seeds.  The Drovers began the day with a dominant 11-5 victory against rival No. 2 Mid-America Christian University, followed by a thrilling 6-3 triumph in the finale against No. 1 Wayland Baptist University.

GAME 1 vs #2 MACU (38-14, 20-7 SAC)

The Drovers scored early and often as they cruised to an 11-5 win against the Evangels. With the win, the Drovers improve to 52-20 against the Evangels all-time, including wins in 41 of the last 51 meetings.

Following a pair of scoreless innings, USAO scored two runs in the top of the third. The Drovers stretched the lead to 5-0 with three more runs in the top of the fourth.

MACU scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth, followed by two more runs for USAO in the top of the fifth. The Evangels trimmed their deficit to 7-3 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth, but the Drovers would reclaim a six-run lead with two runs in the top of the eighth. Both teams scored two runs in the ninth to wrap up the first game of the day.

As a team, the Drovers produced 14 hits and reached the bases on three walks, while the Evangels tallied 13 hits and drew three free passes. Both teams committed one fielding error.

USAO's offense was led by four multi-hit performances, including Corey Morro going 3-3 at the plate. Morro also walked once, scored three times and drove in a run. 

Gage Ninness drove in four runs as he went 2-4 with a couple of singles and a walk. Gunnar Hansen went 2-5 with a run batted in, while Christopher Martinez finished 2-5 with a run scored and a run batted in. 

Ian Ortiz drove in a pair of runs and scored a run as he went 1-4. Jaden Wiley and Ricky Requejo each concluded 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Nolan Herchock doubled in his only at bat and eventually came around to score a run. Peyton McDowall singled and scored in the first game of the day.

Tyson Noel got the start on the mound for the Drovers and improved his record to 5-4 this season. Noel went 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and he struck out four batters. Naton Herchock pitched the final 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and he fanned four batters.

GAME 2 vs #1 WBU (37-16, 22-5 SAC)

USAO overcame a three-run deficit and scored six unanswered runs to move within one win of their fifth SAC Tournament championship in program history. With the win, the Drovers extended their win streak to four games. The Drovers also improve to 49-15 against the Pioneers all-time, including wins in 31 of ther last 33 meetings.

Following a scoreless first inning, the Pioneers struck for three runs in the top of the second. However, USAO would respond with a pair of runs of their own on a single from Nolan Herchock in the bottom half of the inning. The Drovers scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, highlighted by Peyton McDowall's 13^th home run of the season. Christopher Martinez drove in USAO's final run in the bottom of the eighth inning, prior to holding MACU scoreless in the top of the ninth.

As a team, the Drovers produced 11 hits and reached the bases on eight walks, while the Pioneers tallied six hits and drew one free pass. Neither team committed any fielding errors. 

Brian Ereu was superb on the mound for USAO, delivering his second consecutive complete-game in the tournament. Against WBU, Ereu went all 9.0 innings and surrendered three runs on six hits, and he struck out six batters to improve his record to 10-1 this season. 

This season, Ereu leads the Sooner Athletic Conference with 10 wins and a 2.96 earned run average, in addition to ranking seventh in strikeouts (81). In his career, the sophomore owns a 22-3 record and a 3.99 earned run average, along with 177 strikeouts in 185.0 innings.

USAO's offense was led by a pair of multi-hit performances from Ian Ortiz and Nolan Herchock. Ortiz finished 3-4 with a walk, while Herchock went 2-4 with a run scored and two runs batted in. 

Peyton McDowall finished 1-3 with a home run, two walks, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Devin Alvarez concluded 1-3 with a double, two walks, and a run scored, while Ricky Requejo went 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Gunnar Hansen singled and walked twice. Christopher Martinez singled, walked, and drove in a run. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action at Bill Smith Ballpark on Sunday (May 4) as they take on the winner between No. 1 Wayland Baptist and No. 2 Mid-America Christian. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM CT.

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