#3 USAO Completes Weekend Sweep at Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (9-5, 0-0 SAC) concluded a four-game sweep Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic with a double-header sweep against McPherson College and Hastings College. On Friday, the Drovers opened the weekend with a 9-1 victory in game one against HSSU, followed by a 16-2 triumph in the second game against Bethel.

On Saturday, the Drovers woke up early to earn a 7-3 victory over McPherson, followed by an 8-0 win against Hastings.

This weekend, the Drovers outscored their opponents by a margin of 40-6.

-vs MCPHERSON COLLEGE (5-4, 0-0 KCAC)-

After holding the Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers were able to take an early lead with a trio of runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Science & Arts increased their lead to 4-0 in the second inning, thanks to Jaclyn Gray's RBI-single.

McPherson managed to cut into the deficit with a pair of runs in the top of the third.

The score remained 4-2 until the bottom of the fifth inning when USAO pushed across three insurance runs.

The Bulldogs struck for one run in the seventh inning, but it was too little, too late for McPherson.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle and went 3.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, and she struck out four batters.

Abi Gregory earned the win as she pitched the final 4.0 innings in relief, sparing one run on one hit, and she fanned seven batters.

As a team, USAO compiled 14 hits, while holding McPherson to only four.

Five different Drovers recorded a pair of hits in the win, led by Sierra Selfridge's 2-4 performance, which included a pair of triple, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.

Macenzie Ruth provided a 2-3 performance that included a stolen base and two runs scored.

Jaclyn Gray and Jadyn Goucher each finished 2-4 at the plate. Gray added a double, a run scored, and a pair of RBIs, while Goucher doubled once and scored once.

Jaycee Kievit concluded 2-4 with a pair of singles and a pair of runs batted in.

Slater Eck, Kylie Milanic, Jaylee Willis, and Malea McMurtrey each delivered singles in the victory.

-vs HASTINGS COLLEGE (4-9, 0-0 GPAC)-

After holding Hastings scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers captured an early lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. USAO extended the lead to 4-0 with a couple more runs in the second inning, followed by one more run in the third.

The Drovers clung to a 5-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth, when they added on three runs to end the game early, due to the "mercy rule".

Abi Gregory improved her record to 4-2 with a 5.0 inning no-hitter. The no-no is the first of Gregory's collegiate career, and she collected 10 strikeouts in the dominant performance.

As a team, Science & Arts compiled nine hits, while holding McPherson to zero.

Jaclyn Gray once again led the Drovers at the plate, going 2-3 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and a run batted in. This week, Gray has been scorching hot at the dish, going 11-21 with five doubles, two homeruns, seven runs scored, and 12 runs batted in.

Tyler Trott also tallied a pair of hits, finishing 2-2 with a run scored and a RBI, while Malea McMurtrey went 2-3 with a stolen base, a run scored, and she drove in a run.

Madelyn Blair and Slater each singled once, scored once, and drove in a run. Macenzie Ruth went 1-3 with a run scored and a pair of stolen bases.

WHAT'S NEXT?

On Monday, March 6, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma softball team will be back in action at home as they host Women's History Appreciation Night as they face Benedictine College. First pitch of the first game of the double-header is scheduled for 4:00 PM, followed by game two at 6:00 PM at Bill Smith Ballpark.

As part of the festivities, Dr. Kathy Black will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, prior to game one of the twin-bill. 

READ MORE ABOUT WOMEN'S HISTORY APPECIATION NIGHT--> CLICK HERE

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