#3 USAO Tosses Fourth Consecutive Shutout to Extend Win Streak to 11

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Monday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (17-3, 8-0 SAC) extended their win streak to 11 as they completed the four-game sweep against Nelson University (7-15, 1-9 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 2-0 victory in the first game, followed by a 6-0 triumph in the finale. In the four-game series against Nelson, the Drovers shutout the Lions 21-0.

With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 48-0 against the Lions all-time, dating to 2014. During USAO's current 11-game win streak, they have outscored their opponents 79-13.

GAME 1

The first game of the day was very evenly matched, but USAO was able to bring across a pair of runs late in the game to claim the 2-0 win.

The contest opened with three scoreless innings, prior to Taygan Graham driving in Madelyn Torrenueva to give USAO a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Drovers scored on another sacrifice-fly in the fifth inning as Shaylann Grace drove in Malea McMurtrey. Both teams played spotless defense for the remainder of the game. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced five hits and reached one walk, while the Lions were held to four hits and walked once. Neither team committed any fielding errors. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and extended her shutout streak to 21.1 innings, as she improved her record to 9-2 this season. Williams surrendered only four hits while striking out 14 batters.

In her historic career, Williams owns an 80-21 win-loss record, along with a 1.29 earned run average and 795 strikeouts. She is a two-time Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, three-time NAIA All-American, three-time All-SAC selectee, and 14-time SAC Pitcher of the Week. 

The Drover offense had a fairly quiet game at the plate, as four players combined for five singles, and their only two runs were driven in on sac-flies from Grace and Graham. Kinzie Williams went 2-3, while Malea McMurtrey, Leighanne Eaton, and Sophie Williams each singled once.

GAME 2 

The series finale was much like Monday's first game, with USAO needing to rally late to claim the win. After the game began with three scoreless innings, the Drovers claimed the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, followed by their final four runs in the sixth inning.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced only five hits and reached on five walks, while the Lions tallied seven hits and drew four walks. Nelson University committed one fielding error, while USAO's defense fumbled the ball twice. 

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle and delivered 3.2 scoreless innings before handing the ball to Aubree Ferguson for the final 3.1 innings. Anderson surrendered five hits while striking out three batters, while Ferguson earned the win, allowing only two hits and struck out five batters.

The Drover offense was propelled by a two-run home run from Shaylann Grace in the fourth inning. Jadyn Goucher concluded 1-3 with a single, a run scored, and two runs batted in, while Jordan Ramsay went 1-1 with a walk and a run batted in. Kinzie Williams and Taygan Graham each singled in the series finale. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will quickly return to action as they host a World Series rematch against No. 9 ranked Our Lady of the Lake University on Tuesday, March 18. The double-header is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. 

The Drovers and Saints met three times last season, with USAO losing twice at OLLU during the regular season. The Saints then defeated the Drovers 4-3 in extra innings at the NAIA World Series, prior to OLLU winning the National Championship. 

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