#3 USAO Completes Four-Game Sweep on the Road at MACU

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (24-6, 14-2 SAC) completed the impressive four-game sweep on the road at Mid-America Christian University (13-13, 9-7 SAC). The Drovers began the day with an 8-2 triumph in the third game of the series, followed by a 3-2 win in the series finale. On Friday, the Drovers opened the series with a dominant 11-2 win, followed by a 9-1 run-rule victory in game two. In total, USAO outscored MACU 31-7.

With the sweep, the Drovers improve to 56-15 against the Evangels all-time, dating to April 2008. Furthermore, USAO owns a 31-5 record against MACU since 2017.

GAME 1

For the third game in a row against the Evangels, the Drovers were in full control from start to finish as they cruised to an 8-2 win and clinched the series victory.

Following two scoreless innings to begin the game, Jadyn Gaucher blasted a leadoff double in the top of the third, prior to being driven in for USAO's first run on Taygan Graham's sacrifice fly. The Drovers added to their lead with a two-run single from Shaylann Grace in the top of the fourth inning. USAO extended the lead to 4-0 with a run in the top of the fifth, but MACU was able to cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning.

The score remained 4-2 in favor of the Drovers until the top of the sixth when Sierra Selfridge demolished a grand slam to extend the lead to 8-2. USAO held MACU scoreless for the remainder of the contest to clinch the series. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached on five walks, while the Evangels tallied only three hits and walked three times. USAO was perfect on defense, while MACU committed one fielding error.

Sophie Williams got the start in the circle for USAO and went all 7.0 innings, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and she struck out seven batters to improve her record to 12-3 this season. In her stellar career, Williams owns an 83-22 record, along with a 1.37 earned run average and 825 strikeouts in 673.2 innings of work. 

USAO's offense was led by a trio of multi-hit performances and a grand slam from Sierra Selfridge. Shaylann Grace continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-4 with three runs batted in. Jadyn Goucher went 2-4 with a double and a run scored, while Leighanne Eaton went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. Selfridge concluded 1-3 with her 11^th homer of the season, along with a walk and four runs batted in.

Maveryck Lightfoot and Kinzie Williams each singled and scored once. Sophie Williams contributed a 1-4 performance at the plate to help her own cause in the circle. Taygan Graham drove in one run, while Jordan Ramsay, Taylor Cronic, and Jaylee Willis each scored once.

GAME 2 

The Drovers concluded the series sweep with an exhilarating 3-2 triumph.

The series finale began with a pair of scoreless innings, prior to the Drovers striking first with one run in the top of the third inning. The Evangels immediately retaliated with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the third to claim the lead. 

Shaylann Grace led off the top of the fourth with a solo-home run to pull the score even at 2-2, prior to claiming a one-run lead on a sacrifice fly later in the inning. Both teams were held scoreless over the final three inning, giving the Drovers the four-game sweep.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and did not draw any walks, while the Evangels recorded together six hits and walked five times. USAO was perfect on defense, while MACU committed a pair of fielding errors.

Abi Gregory got the start in the circle for USAO and went 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, and she struck out three batters to improve her record to 2-0 this season. Gabby Toquothty earned her first save of the season as she pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

USAO's offense was led by another powerful performance from Shaylann Grace, going 2-3 with her third home run of the season. In the series at MACU, she went 7-9 with a double, two homers, and six runs batted in. Grace has been terrific this season, producing a .419 batting average that includes 31 hits, 10 doubles, a triple, three longballs, and 16 runs batted in.

Jadyn Goucher stayed hot at the plate as well, going 1-2 with a run scored, while Taygan Graham went 1-2 with a run batted in. Taylor Cronic concluded 1-3 with a double and a run scored. Jordan Ramsay finished 1-1 at the plate, and Leighanne Eaton went 1-3 in the series finale. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now head to Goodwell, Okla. for a double-header at OPSU on Monday, March 31. First pitch of the twin bill is slated for 12:00 PM CT.

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