Williams Tosses Historic Perfect Game as #3 USAO Sweeps Peru State

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Wednesday evening, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (13-3, 4-0 SAC) extended their win streak to seven with a double-header sweep against Peru State College (3-9, 0-0 HAAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 17-0 victory in the first game, followed by a 4-2 triumph in the finale. During USAO's current seven-game win streak, they have outscored their opponents 58-13.

In the first game, Sophie Williams pitched her seventh career perfect, which ties the NAIA record for most perfecto's in a career. The previous record holder, you may ask??? None other than Williams' former teammate, Emily Cerny.

The double-header was also a reunion of sorts, as it brought Williams' former catcher back to campus. Former Drover catcher, Jaclyn Gray is now in her second season as an assistant coach for the Bobcats. In 2023, Gray delivered an epic senior season at USAO, earning the SAC Player of the Year award, a first team NAIA All-American selection, and a first-team All-SAC selection. In 2023, Gray produced an incredible .413 batting average, along with 76 hits, 21 doubles, four triples, 11 homeruns, 47 runs scored, and 79 runs batted in. Furthermore, the catcher owned a phenomenal .750 slugging percentage and a .440 on base percentage. Her 79 RBIs set a new single season program record. Gray led the Sooner Athletic Conference in hits, homeruns, runs batted in, and slugging percentage, while ranking second in doubles and batting average. 

In her historic career at USAO, the Chickasha native appeared in 107 games, recording 128 hits, 38 doubles, four triples, 16 homers, 77 runs scored, and 118 RBIs. She led the Drovers to a SAC Championship as well as a pair of appearances in the NAIA Softball World Series.

FUN FACT: For the last four seasons, USAO's starting catcher has been a Chickasha native. (Jaclyn Gray – 2 yrs ,  Leighanne Eaton – 2 yrs)

GAME 1

The Drovers claimed their third consecutive run-rule victory in the first game of the day, following a pair of run-rule triumphs on the road at Wayland Baptist last Friday. 

USAO's offense scored early and often, while not allowing a single baserunner for Peru State. The Drovers scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning on a trio of RBI-singles from Kinzie Williams, Shaylann Grace, and Sophie Williams. Sierra Selfridge launched a two-run homer in the second to extend USAO's advantage to 5-0. The Drovers pushed across seven more runs in the third, highlighted by a pair of triples from Leighanne Eaton, and Jadyn Goucher. USAO scored their final five runs in the bottom of the fourth, prior to holding Peru State scoreless in the top of the fifth, ending the game early, due to the run-rule. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 18 hits and reached two walks, while the Bobcats were kept off the bases completely. Peru State also committed a pair of fielding errors, while USAO's defense was spotless. 

The USAO offense produced at least 10 hits for the third game in a row, highlighted by five multi-hit performances. Kinzie Williams and Shaylann Grace each were a perfect 3-3 at the plate. Williams stole a pair of bases, scored three times, and drove in one run, while Grace stole once, scored once, and drove in two runs. 

Sierra Selfridge continued to swing one of the hottest bats in the country, going 2-3 with her fourth home run of the season, as well as two runs scored and four runs batted in. 

Malea McMurtrey concluded 2-2 with a triple, a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while Sophie Williams went 2-3 with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in. 

Maddy Baber recorded her first hit as a Drover in epic fashion, launching a grand slam in her only at bat of the game. Leighanne Eaton went 1-2 with a triple, a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Jadyn Goucher also concluded 1-2 with a triple, a run scored, and a run batted in. 

Ashlyn Turner and Lexie Lovelace singled and scored, while Kamryn James drove in a run with a single. 

Sophie Williams delivered a dominant performance in the circle as she tied the NAIA record for most perfect games in a career, matching the previous mark set by Drover legend Emily Cerny. Williams went all 5.0 innings and struck out 11 batters. With the win, Williams improves to 7-2 this season. 

In her historic career, Williams owns a 78-21 win-loss record, along with a 1.32 earned run average and 775 strikeouts. She is a two-time Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, three-time NAIA All-American, three-time All-SAC selectee, and 13-time SAC Pitcher of the Week. Along with her seven perfect games, she has also thrown three no-hitters.

GAME 2 

The second game was much more competitive and was a close game throughout. USAO used a big rally in the second inning to propel themselves to a 4-2 win.

Following a scoreless first inning, the Drovers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by a pair of RBI-singles from Taygan Graham and Malea McMurtrey. The score remained 3-0 until the top of the fourth when the Bobcats launched a two-run homer. USAO would get insurance in the bottom of the fifth as Sierra Selfridge crushed a solo home run to center field. Jayden Anderson shut down the Bobcat offense in the final two innings to preserve the win. 

As a team, the Drovers offense generated seven hits and drew zero walks, while the Bobcats tallied one hit and drew five walks. Neither team committed a fielding error. 

Seven different Drovers recorded a hit in the win. Sierra Selfridge concluded 1-3 with her fifth home run of the season. The longball is the third in the last four games for Selfridge. Through 16 games, she owns a .500 batting average with 26 hits, 11 runs, six doubles, five homers, and 20 runs batted in. Her slugging percentage is a staggering .904.

Malea McMurtrey, Kinzie Williams, Leighanne Eaton, Shaylann Grace, Maddy Baber, and Taygan Graham each singled in the finale. 

Aubree Ferguson improved her record to 2-0 as she pitched 4.0 innings, allowing just two runs on one hit, and she struck out seven batters. Jayden Anderson delivered 3.0 innings of perfection in relief for Ferguson, striking out five batters, while allowing zero baserunners. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action at Bill Smith Ballpark on March 15-17 as they host a four-game series against Nelson University. Saturday's double header is scheduled for 2:00 and 4:00 PM CT, followed by another twin bill on Monday, beginning at 2:00 PM CT.

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