Drovers Claim Third SAC Tournament Championship

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Sunday afternoon, the No. 2 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (39-13, 25-7 SAC) claimed their third Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship with a 4-1 victory at No. 1 seed Oklahoma City University (45-9, 29-3 SAC).

The Drovers and Stars met five times this season, with USAO winning three of those matchups, two of which were on the campus of OCU. 

On Sunday, the Stars were the visiting team on the scoreboard, despite playing on their home field, and they took an early lead with one run in the top of the first inning. Unfortunately for OCU, that was the only run they'd bring across the plate. The Stars run was produced by Lexi Duff's sacrifice-fly to center field, which scored Kaitlyn Jones. 

Science & Arts was able to tie the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning, with Slater Eck's RBI-single, that brought in Jaylee Willis. USAO then went on to claim the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third on Isabela Portillo's RBI-single, followed by Jaylee Willis' two-RBI double. 

Four runs was all USAO would need as Sophie Williams was sensational in the circle once again, improving her record to 21-6 as she went all seven innings, surrendering only one run on five hits and she struck out five batters. This season, the sophomore pitcher owns a phenomenal 1.37 earned run average and 233 strikeouts in 183.1 innings pitched. Williams ranks first in the conference in strikeouts, tied for first in ERA, and tied for second in wins.

Shelby Cornelson started in the circle for OCU and went all six innings, allowing 10 hits and four earned runs, while striking out four batters. Cornelson was dealt just her third loss of the season, falling to 25-3. She currently leads the SAC in wins, tied for best ERA, and ranks second in strikeouts.

Offensively, USAO produced 10 hits, while OCU only managed five, and neither team committed a fielding error.

Isabella Portillo delivered a legendary performance, leading the USAO offense with a perfect 3-3 performance, which included a run scored and a run batted in. 

Jaclyn Gray and Jaylee Willis each doubled in the win. Gray finished 1-4, while Willis went 1-2 with a walk and two runs batted in.

Slater Eck drove in one run as she concluded 1-3 with a single. Sierra Selfridge and Taygan Graham each singled and scored. Malea McMurtrey and Sophie Williams each singled once, and Jaycee Kievit scored a run.

All five of OCU's hits were singles, coming off the bats of Kaitlyn Jones, Kamryn Garvie, Analise Rayburn, Amy Crabaugh, and Carlee Mollet.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Science & Arts and Oklahoma City University will each be host sites for the NAIA Softball Opening Round, giving each team an automatic bid into the national tournament, which will take place from May 15-17, on the respective campuses of USAO and OCU.

On Tuesday, May 9 at 4:00 PM CT, the entire field for the national tournament will be announced on the NAIA Softball Selection Show, available on the NAIA's YouTube channel.

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