#3 USAO Extends Win Streak to Nine with a Pair of Shutouts Agaist Nelson University

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (15-3, 6-0 SAC) extended their win streak to nine with a double-header sweep against Nelson University (7-13, 1-7 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a dominant 11-0 victory in the first game, followed by a thrilling 2-0 triumph in the finale. Furthermore, USAO only allowed one hit in the twin bill.

With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 46-0 against the Lions all-time, dating to 2014. During USAO's current nine-game win streak, they have outscored their opponents 71-13.

GAME 1

The Drovers dominated from start to finish, and Sophie Williams delivered her first no-hitter of the season as USAO cruised to an 11-0 victory. 

After holding the Lions scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by three more runs in the second inning. USAO scored two runs in the third and fourth innings, prior to closing the door on Nelson in the top of the fifth.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached four walks, while the Lions were held hitless and walked once. USAO has recorded 11 or more hits in four of their last five games. 

Nelson University also committed a pair of fielding errors, while USAO's defense fumbled the ball once. 

After delivering her seventh career perfect game on Wednesday, Sophie Williams followed it up with her fourth career no-hitter on Saturday. The reigning SAC Pitcher of the Week has not allowed any hits in her last 14.2 innings pitched. On Saturday, she improved her record to 8-2 this season as she went all 5.0 innings, surrendering just one walk, while striking out six batters. 

In her historic career, Williams owns a 79-21 win-loss record, along with a 1.31 earned run average and 781 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. 

USAO's offense was led by an incredible 3-3 performance from Sierra Selfridge, that included two doubles, two runs scored, and six runs batted in. 

Leighanne Eaton, Sophie Williams, and Addison Willis each connected for doubles in the opener. Eaton finished 1-3 with a run batted in, and Williams helped her own cause with a 1-2 performance at the plate, in addition to a run scored. Willis drove in a pair of runs with her two-bagger. 

Shaylann Grace and Jadyn Goucher each concluded 1-2 with singles. Goucher also drove in a pair of runs. 

Kinzie Williams went 1-1 with a walk and two runs scored. Malea McMurtrey singled once, stole two bases, and scored twice. Ashlyn Turner singled and scored in her only at bat of the game. 

GAME 2 

In the second game of the day, USAO jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and clung to it for the remainder of the contest.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced five hits and reached on one walk, while the Lions were held to only one hit and one walk. Nelson University committed one fielding error, while USAO's defense was unblemished. 

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle and was superb, delivering 7.0 scoreless innings to improve to 4-1 this season. Anderson surrendered just one and one walk, while striking out three batters. 

In her career, Anderson has posted a 19-3 record, along with a 1.68 earned run average and she has struck out 142 batters in 150.1 innings of work. 

The top three batters in the lineup for USAO, provided nearly all the offense needed for the win. Kinzie Williams and Sierra Selfridge each went 2-3 at the plate. Williams scored once and stole once, while Selfridge doubled and drove in two runs. 

This week, Selfridge has been unstoppable, going 8-12 with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, 5 runs scored, and 13 runs batted in. She produced a .667 betting average and an astounding 1.417 slugging percentage. This season, Selfridge owns a .534 batting average with 31 hits, 9 doubles, 5 homers, 13 runs scored, and 28 RBIs. She currently owns a 12-game hit streak, and she has only been held hitless once in 18 games. 

Malea McMurtrey went 1-3 with a run scored and a stolen base.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Lions will wrap up the four-game series with another double header on Monday, March 17. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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