Drovers Extend Win Streak to 27 and Advance to Opening Round Championship Game
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Midland | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
|
Science and Arts | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 7 | 1 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Midland | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
|
Science and Arts | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 7 | 1 |
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Wednesday afternoon, the No. 1 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (46-7, 31-5 SAC) remained perfect in the 2024 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round: presented by Roaster's Market with an impressive 5-4 victory against No. 2 Midland University (43-11, 18-4 GPAC). The thrilling performance extended USAO's win streak to 27 and they have not suffered a loss since March 23.
The Drovers and Warrior have some recent history, having faced each other at the 2023 NAIA World Series, as well as twice this season. At last year's World Series, Midland came away with a 3-2 win and ended USAO's season. This season, Drovers have defeated the Warriors twice, including a 2-1 extra-inning victory against Midland on February 9, prior to pushing the Warriors to the brink of elimination with a 5-4 triumph on Wednesday.
In Wednesday's matchup, USAO jumped out to an early lead on Leighanne Eaton's solo-home run in the bottom of the second inning. However, the Warriors responded with a three-run homer of their own in the top of the third inning to claim a 3-1 lead.
The Drovers quickly reclaimed the lead with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by a 2-RBI single from Sierra Selfridge and a sacrifice fly from Eaton. USAO an insurance run in the fourth on Malea McMurtrey's RBI-double to deep center field.
Midland managed to score one final run in the top of the fifth but were unable to add any more runs for the remainder of the contest.
Jayden Anderson was terrific in the circle for USAO, delivered a complete-game victory to improve her record to 15-2 this season. Anderson went all 7.0 innings, allowing only three earned runs on six hits, and she struck out five batters.
As a team, USAO reached the bases on seven hits and three walks. Meanwhile the Warriors tallied six hits and drew one walk. USAO committed one fielding error, while Midland was perfect on defense.
Malea McMurtrey and Sierra Selfridge led the Drover offense with a pair of two-hit performances. McMurtrey finished 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Selfridge stayed red-hot at the plate, going 2-3 with a pair of runs batted in. In the Opening Round, Selfridge is batting 4-6 with a home run and six runs batted in.
Leighanne Eaton concluded 1-2 with a run scored and two runs batted in, while Kinzie Williams went 1-2 with a walk and two runs scored. Macenzie Ruth finished 1-3 with a run scored in the win.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Drovers and Warriors will meet once again for the Opening Round championship game on Wednesday, May 16 at 1:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. USAO needs just one win to advance to the NAIA World Series, while Midland would have to defeat USAO twice to advance to the World Series.
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