BACK-2-BACK: Drovers Advance to Seventh NAIA Softball World Series
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Science and Arts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
|
Mobile | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Wednesday afternoon, the No. 1 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (42-13, 25-7 SAC) advanced to the NAIA Softball World Series for the seventh time in program history, with a thrilling 1-0 triumph against No. 2 seed University of Mobile (40-15, 23-5 SSAC).
The Drovers and Rams previously met on Tuesday, as USAO edged UM 3-2 in nine innings, courtesy of Jaclyn Gray's walk-off sacrifice fly.
The showdowns against Mobile in the 2023 Opening Round were rematches of a pair of tough losses for USAO in the NAIA Softball World Series last season. The Rams ended USAO's 2022 season with an extra-inning victory in the 10th inning of the national semifinal game, and they also defeated the Drovers 3-0 in the second game of last year's World Series.
Mobile entered the Opening Round with one of the top pitching staffs in the entire NAIA, and it was clear to see what the key to success for the Rams has been this season. With that being said, most people would assume that any game against Mobile would need to be a pitcher's duel if you were to beat the Rams, and Sophie Williams was more than ready for the challenge once again.
The only run of Wednesday's Opening Round final was scored in the top of the fourth inning when Jaclyn Gray scored on Taygan Graham's RBI-single to right field. One run was all the Drovers would need as they used stellar pitching and defense to hold off the Rams.
Sophie Williams improved her record to 24-6 with her 10th complete-game shutout of the season. Williams only surrendered two hits and she struck out a pair of batters. During the Opening Round, the Sooner Athletic Conference co-Pitcher of the Year tossed all 23.0 innings for USAO, allowing only two earned runs (0.60 ERA) and she struck out nine batters.
So far this season, Williams owns a 1.29 earned run average and she has struck out 242 batters in 206.1 innings of work.
As a team, the Drovers strung together six hits, while holding the Rams to only two. USAO also was able to capitalize on Mobile's defensive miscues, as the Rams committed three fielding errors.
The Science & Arts offense was led by Malea McMurtrey's three-hit performance. McMurtrey concluded 3-4 with a double and a pair of singles. During the tournament, McMurtrey led the Drovers at the dish, going 7-12 (.583) with a double, a triple, and two runs scored.
Jaclyn Gray finished 1-4 with a double and a run scored, while Taygan Graham went 1-3 with a run batted in. Jaycee Kievit also delivered a single up the middle as she finished 1-2.
FINAL OUT --> WATCH HERE
WHAT'S NEXT?
Science & Arts advances to the NAIA Softball World Series, where they will open the 10-team, double-elimination tournament against No. 3 seed University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) on Thursday, May 25. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT at South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga.
The Drovers previously appeared in the NAIA Softball World Series in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2018, 2019, and 2022. Science & Arts won the 2018 World Series, followed by third-place finishes in 2019 and 2022.
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