Drovers Win Big Twice on Day One of the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Friday evening, the No. 3 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (7-5, 0-0 SAC) opened the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic with a double-header sweep against Harris-Stowe State University and Bethel College. The Drovers opened the day with a 9-1 victory in game one against HSSU, followed by a 16-2 triumph in the finale against Bethel.

-vs HARRIS STOWE STATE UNIVERSITY (2-4, 0-0 AMC)-

The Drovers opened the game with a bang, scoring a trio of runs in the bottom of the first inning, followed by five more runs in the second inning.

Harris-Stowe managed to score one run in the top of the third inning, but the Drovers responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning.

Neither team scored in the final 1.5 innings, and the game was ended early due to the "mercy rule".

As a team, the Drovers compiled five hits, while holding the Hornets to only one. 

USAO received superb pitching performances from Sophie Williams and Abi Gregory. Williams got the start and earned the win after delivering 3.0 innings of stellar work, striking out six batters while allowing only one hit and one run. 

Gregory pitched the final 2.0 innings and struck out five batters while not allowing any hits or runs. 

Macenzie Ruth and Slater Eck were great at the top of the batting order, each going 1-2 with a run batted in and two runs scored. Furthermore, Eck stole a pair of bases and Ruth swiped one bag.

Malea McMurtrey finished 1-1 with a walk, two runs scored, and four stolen bases. Jaclyn Gray went 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Madelyn Blair concluded 1-2 and Jadyn Goucher drove in a pair of runs.

-vs BETHEL COLLEGE (7-3, 0-0 KCAC)-

After a scoreless first inning, Science & Arts began to pour on the offense and ran away with a blowout victory in the second game of the day. The Drovers struck for five runs in the bottom of the second inning, prior to the Threshers scoring once in the top of the third. 

USAO responded with a 7-run outburst in the bottom of the third, followed by four more insurance runs in the fourth.

Bethel scored once in the top of the fifth, but it wasn't nearly enough to extend the game, as it was called early due to the "mercy rule".

Sophie Williams improved her record to 4-2 with another strong performance in the circle, going all 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run on two hits, and she struck out eight batters.

As a team, Science & Arts produced 15 hits, while holding Bethel to only two.

Jaclyn Gray led the USAO offense with an incredible performance at the plate, going 4-4 with a pair of doubles, a homerun, two runs scored, and five runs batted in.

Macenzie Ruth, Slater Eck, Jadyn Goucher, and Jaylee Willis each contributed a pair of hits. Ruth finished 2-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in, while Eck went 2-4 with a pair of runs and a RBI.

Goucher concluded 2-4 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, and a run batted in. Willis delivered the best game of her young career, going 2-3 with three runs and a pair of RBI's.

Kylie Milanic closed 1-2 with a double, a run, and a RBI, while Malea McMurtrey went 1-2 with a walk and three runs scored. Jaycee Kievit went 1-3 with a run scored. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will be back in action at the Hosea Bell Red Dirt Classic on Saturday, March 4 as they play a double-header at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. USAO will wake up early and face McPherson College at 9:00 AM, followed by a showdown with Hastings College at 2:00 PM.

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