Drovers Split Double-Header Against Ranked Opponents at Day One of the NAIA SB Invitational

SHAWNEE, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 2 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (5-1, 0-0 SAC) opened the NAIA SB Invitational with a double-header split against No. 17 ranked Hope International University and No. 5 ranked Southern Oregon University. The Drovers opened the day with a dramatic 4-3 walk-off victory against HIU in extra innings, followed by a 2-0 loss against SOU.

GAME 1 vs #17 HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (5-2, 0-0 GSAC)

 The Drovers were quick to strike in the first game of the weekend, bringing across one run in the bottom of the first inning. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth when Shaylann Grace drove in Ashlyn Turner on a double to right field. 

Down but not out, Hope International tied the game at 2-2 with a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to send the game to extras. 

The Royals would then claim a 3-2 lead with a run in the top of the ninth, but the Drovers responded emphatically, with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jordan Ramsay scored the winning run on a walk-off single from Malea McMurtrey. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and reached on two walks, while the Royals tallied only three hits and drew two walks. HIU committed one fielding error, while USAO fumbled the ball twice on defense.

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and pitched the opening 6.2 innings, allowing only two runs on three hits, and she struck out four batters. Sophie Williams earned the win as she pitched the final 2.1 innings and struck out two batters.

The Drover offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey and Sierra Selfridge. McMurtrey concluded 2-5 with a run scored, a stolen base, and the game winning RBI. Selfridge finished 2-4 with a double. 

Leighanne Eaton, Shaylann Grace, and Jordan Ramsay each doubled in the win.

GAME 2 vs #5 SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY (10-0, 0-0 CCC)

Both teams received tremendous pitching performances in the top five matchup, but Southern Oregon was able to score the game's only two runs in the top of the first inning, prior to both pitchers dominating the rest of the way.

As a team, the Drovers offense was held to only one hit and reached on zero walks, while the Raiders tallied eight hits and drew zero walks. SOU committed one fielding error, while USAO made three errors on defense.  

Sophie Williams went all 7.0 innings for the Drovers in the circle, allowing just one earned run and struck out one batter. 

Jordan Ramsay recorded USAO's only hit and finished 1-2 at the plate. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will conclude the NAIA SB Invitation with a double-header on Sunday (Feb. 23) as they face No. 3 ranked University of the Cumberlands and No. 5 ranked Oregon Tech. The Drovers will face UC at 10:00 AM CT, followed by OIT at 2:30 PM CT at Firelake Ball Fields in Shawnee, Okla.

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