Selfridge Homers Twice as #3 USAO Splits Double Header at #5 OCU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (19-5, 9-1 SAC) split a double header on the road at No. 5 ranked Oklahoma City University (21-5, 9-3 SAC). USAO opened the day with a thrilling 10-4 victory in extra innings, followed by a 7-2 loss in the second game. 

The Drovers are now 21-47 against the Stars since 2008. Since 2018, USAO has had much better luck against the Stars, having won 17 of the last 35 meetings. Furthermore, the Drovers and the Stars have met in each of the last six SAC Tournament championship games, with each team having claimed the crown three times in that span.

So far this season, the Drovers own a 6-5 record against opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. USAO now owns wins against No. 4 Northwestern, No. 5 Oklahoma City, No. 7 Cumberlands, No. 9 OLLU, No. 12 Hope International, and No. 17 Missouri Baptist. 

GAME 1

The series opener had all the excitement you could want between a pair of top five opponents, with the Drovers claiming a 10-4 win in 10 innings.

After the game began with a scoreless first inning, the Drovers captured the first lead, tallying three runs in the top of the second inning. However, the lead was short-lived as the Stars responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning to knot the score at 3-3.

The score remained even until the end of the seventh inning, forcing extras. USAO claimed a 4-3 in the top of the eighth as Malea McMurtrey drove in Madelyn Torrenueva with a sacrifice-fly to right field. In the bottom of the eighth, OCU struck for one run to tie the score at 4-4, and stranded the bases loaded. 

Still even at 4-4 going into the 10^th inning, the Drovers reclaimed the advantage, bringing across six runs, highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Kinzie Williams and a two-run homer from Sierra Selfridge.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and reached one walk, while the Stars strung together seven hits and walked twice. OCU committed two fielding errors, while USAO's fumbled the ball once on defense. 

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and went all 10 innings to improve to 10-3 this season. Williams surrendered three earned runs on seven hits and struck out eight batters. 

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Kinzie Williams and Sophie Williams. Kinzie Williams went 2-5 with a double, a run scored, and three runs batted in, while Sophie helped her own cause going 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. 

Sierra Selfridge launched her seventh home run as she finished 1-5 at the plate with two runs batted in. Malea McMurtrey concluded 1-3 with a triple, a walk, a run scored, and three runs batted in. Jordan Ramsay went 1-3 with a run scored. 

GAME 2 

The Stars used a five-run rally in the fifth to salvage the split with a 7-2 win in game two of the series. 

The Drovers were held scoreless in the top of the first inning, prior to the Stars claiming an early lead with one run in the bottom half of the first. USAO then claimed a 2-1 lead on Sierra Selfridge's two-run homer in the top of the third inning. However, OCU responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the third to pull the score even at 2-2. The Stars then claimed a 7-2 lead with five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Drovers were unable to piece together a rally in the final two innings and suffered their fifth loss of the season. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced six hits and reached on one walk, while the Stars tallied 10 hits and drew four walks. Both teams committed two fielding errors.  

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Aubree Ferguson and Gabby Toquothty combined to pitch the final 1.2 innings. Toquothty struck out one batter.

The Drover offense was highlighted by a two-hit performance from Sierra Selfridge. Selfridge concluded 2-3 with her eighth homer of the season, in addition to a pair of runs batted in. Kinzie Williams, Leighanne Eaton, Taylor Cronic, and Jordan Ramsay each singled in game two. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Stars will wrap up the four-game series with another double-header tomorrow (March 22) at Ann Lacy Stadium. Saturday's games are scheduled for 12:00PM CT and 2:00 PM CT at Ann Lacy Stadium in OKC.

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